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LETTERS FROM MALABAR

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

IIV

JACOB CANTER ATSSCHER.

,%«in FIIST Hlimril fMI HI tlltl'U MTfl:

TO WHICH Is AW«Hi

AN ACCOUNT OF TRAVASCORE,

AM*

FRA BARTOLOMEOS TRAVELS LN THAT COUNTRY.

MAJOR IIEBER DRI'RY.

w»tr

uir tMKT.n miwu n n.rmm **•> <wor*

Elnaras :

rni*Ttl> BY OAST* BKOllirn*. AT Tilt 'Ml Hit PHY*»,
21 . trxiott** roai>, rrrrltT.

1863.

PREFACE BY THE EDITOR.!

Tilt original volume, of which the following pages
are a translation, eamo accidentally into my hands
while at Cochin about two yean ago, and imagining it
might possess aome interesting matter, I took it to
England, and had it fuithfully translated under my
own superintendence. The present reproduction con-
tains the entire work, with the exception of one or
two chapters, relating to Java, and the Dutch de-
pendencies of tho Eastern Archipelago. These wore
purposely omitted, as they had no reference to the
affairs ot' the Malabar Coast.

There can be little <lou1»t that Dutch writings on
the subject of the East are very numerous, though
but little k nown to us ; chiefly, of course, from the
fact of their beiug scaled up in a tongue which few
care to acquire in tho ire*ent day. Yet, if we con
wider for how considerable u period of time the Dutch
were masters of the Malabar Coast and Ceylon and
what laborious writers and compilers they were, both
at home and abroad when in the zenith of their power
and prosperity, there must surely lie ninny works
which, if rendered available for tho English reudur,
would throw much interesting light upon the admi-
nitration of their Ea>tem |»os»essions.

The early Dutch vovagers, such as Linsehotcn.
Valentyn, Kicuhoff and others had their works pub-
lished separately or collectively, and are numerous
enough, but a few only havo been translated into the
English language.

When Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited Cochin in
3806 (sec his Christian Researches), it is believed
there were large collections of Dutch and Portuguese
books to be found in Cochin, but which were subse-
quently destroyed wholesale. The present volume
is probably one of the few which escaped the vandal-
ism of those days, while many othora may yet be
lying in dishonoured obscurity. Ln addition to these
“ Letters from Malabar," I procured a MS. account
of Cochin and Malabar, which was written by M.
Adrian van Moons, who was the Dutch Governor of
Cochin about 1772, and who appears to have been a
man of considerable energy ana ability. He greatly
improved the' fortifications of the place, and other-
wise rendered great services to the town and its
neighbourhood. This MS. is a large 4 to. volume and
is now among the Government Records in Cochin.

Of the Author of the “ Letters from Malabar," I
can find no account beyond what is iu the preface
of the Dutch edition. The name of Cantcrfisher Ls
not unknown on the Coromandel Coast, and persons of
that name, whom the present generation may recol-
lect at Madras, were probably descendants of the
Dutch author.

Tiitasiiux,
June 1862.

II D.

ixiuct rm tii uinr$ Miner.

1 have been induced to write these Memoirs by
the deni re to relate tho voracious circumstance* of
wliicb I havo oitlior injaclf boon an oyo witness, or
which I have heard from' trustworthy poraona; for, nil
I shall *ny respecting tho manners nnd cuatoni* of
tho Mnlabars I liavc drawn from Uic fountain head,
namely, from tho natives themsclvos, and particularly
from such among thorn as are most thoroughly ac-

S aintod with them —their brahmins and lawyers.

to tusk has cost me much labour and troublo, and
a good deal of |«atience too ; for these people arc very
slow, and can only be forced to answer our enquiries
by coutinual prompting.

The reader need not expect any description of the
incidents which have happened to me, or a nar-
rative of my voyages, misfortunes, the storms and
such ti ling *, with which almost all books of travels
are filled. My observatious will bear only upon the
manners nnd customs of the j»ooplc, their laws, rites
nnd ceremonies, the description of their •kingdoms, as
well ns their origin and tlicir modes of government,
and other similar subjects.

I give these Memoirs the title of Malabar Letters,
although they do not all concom that country, be-
cause 1 wrote them there and despatched them to my
friends in Europe. I preferred this method of writing,
because it gave mu the opportunity to insert in this
account of the Malabar |»ooplo some other noteworthy
circumstances. I conclude with expressing the Imiw
that this little work mnv bo of use to the reader, who
is interested in the slinly ef these subjects.

nmui mi tii ii id i mil’s mictnoi

TO SOIE SKIT It Ml llll IMIS l\» l (MIS l\ WUlM.

TIic following pogen contain oboervatioim «]»on that part
of India which U calUd lh« Const of Malabar, dmeribing the
nature of the country, tlw varictic* of iu inhabitant*, and
the manner of life in vogue there, both among the Dutch
tbenuelvee ami tho henllMim and umIioumUiw.

My brollicr Jacobus Cnutcr Viwclier. at tin? time hr wrote
then letter* to hn frieadt at home. v»n* Omnlaiii nt Cochin,
the chief town of that country- ; he lived there live whole
years. during which time lie had auflkiont op|>oH unity to
examine into matter* Utcre. Ho »#« afterward* :• Minister
of 'God’s Word at Batavia, in the Portuguese language. It
would not become me in Uin place toex|-atinte upon hi* abi-
lities, but your Excellencies will allow me to WV simply. ns
a proof that lie lias been as accurate a* it was possible for
him to be, tliat from bis Youth upward he took delight in
reading accounts of travels, and was tilled by them with a
strong desire himself to visit distant lauds and nation', and
to ascertain the truth or falscbcvd of other writers. This
desire grew so irresistible, tliat, as soou as lie had coniplet-
ed his studies, although he was by no moans without ho|»
of promotion in his native country, he accepted an appoint-
ment from the East India Company and gladly undertook
tho voyage to tlio East ; the Divine Providence placed him
at first in the not uocehbcatcJ region of which lie liere gives
the description.

These letter* were not written merely for the edification
of hia friends and actpiaintance, hut with the view of pub-
lication nt n suitable lime ; he kepi a copy of them himself,
mid had nriangcvl them in what appeared to him « natural
order.

This copy having, since my brollicr* death, fallen into mv
band*, I have resolved to publish it ; and have taken the
liberty to dedicate it to vow BxeoHoode*. humbly hogging
yon to receive it favourably. " *

I remain, as I have always been.

Right llou’Ue Lord* and Ladies,

Your humble and obedient servant.

C. T. VISSCHER.

CkajJain i<t

\6th AttQHtf. 17»3.

CONTENTS

LETTER 1.

HitoaUon of Malatsr-SigmftcaDos of the name-Fint ooloaim-
Uon according to tho Native Ugeods— DiKienoe between tho
IlighlaiwUaiid LoeUrsU— TV- stoue to und in H i|il OI*cap.
no- of provision* — Neither volcanoes to be found nor carth-
ipMkcs ever experteoesd here

LETTER IL

On nomo diwrdera indigenous to the country, and the chum* ©f
them— The distinction of seasons, and the effects thenOC arising. I A

LETTER IIL

Description of Cochin and Calicut— Conduct of the Eoglieh there, i'
LETTER IV.

Description of Quibxi, Aiwike, Kully Qnilon, Porcad, Cranganoor,
Paliport, Chctwa— Dutch for treuc* in Malabar— Narrative of
the lata war— Cannancrc, Aojcngo, and Tetlichcrry belonging to
the English— Eddawa. formerly a powevuon of the Danes, but
uow abandoned - 21

LETTER V.

Description of CUnara. Vingotla, Goa— and the Custom* ol tin
Portuguese in these parta .. 3:

LETTER VI.

Malabar an uponaiv* aeUlem.nl to the Dutch Ea-t India Com-
pany — Ita importance — Remark f on the duties incumbent on our
Commandant.— Encocmuma os Job : Ilertenlerg— Administra-
tion of Iba East India Cum juny- Landed estate* belonging to

COSTTEKT*.

LETTER VII

IVf*.

Trsdo of the English in lUUbar, and the dewier. Umj here ci-

LETTER VIII.

Divisions among the royal bouses. and wan Uwooa arising-Cha-
nrtar and naanm of R*ah Wirriam -Custom. at tho deoaas*
of tba Rajahs-ObasrraUoae oo Um rood net which ought to l*
observed by tba Dutch Oomuawt in iU iutorooorae with
Umm princes mm

I •

LETTER IX

Account of Um royal houses uf Malabar, Tnrancoro, Cochin, the
Zamorin, and CWartn-Dissgresmeota euatiag between U«etn... *7

LETTER X

LiTB of the Malaban— Strange manner of laying a seizure on the
property of mother— Their trials by ordeal, ro me time* thrust-
ing tho finger* into boiling ofl, sometimes the hand into a
basket containing a Cobra CapelU. sometime* swimming through
a river inhabited by Crocodile*— Strange oocnrrenco— ' Then
prisons — The rights they joeeses over slaves— Sale* and pur-
chase* — — - 8 *

LETTER XL

Revenue of tbs Rajahs of Codon—' Their mode of OoTsrnmcnt-
AccounU of Um Xatiooal Assemblies collected in cases of emer-
gency — -

LETTER XII.

Of tho coinage of ludu— Rupees, psgoJas, Ac., and their value—

Of the mouey current among the Europeans and ita valus-Of Uio
faiuiui, boceeroks, and cowries Ti

LETTER XU1.

Kccleaiaatica! and temporal grandees in Malabar-Customary salu-
tation* bat warn the higher and lower orders in their daily inter-
course ; and their modse of ahswiog respect..!

LETTER XIV.

Cn.toBM and luzuhes of the women In Mzlsbar-Mauagomsnt of
the children. Weddings, Ac

•mssssH SSSSN H*«»S MMS MHMH

•I

COJfTET*.

iii

Pa 9 t -

LEHER XV.

An account of the TopMtta, their rrligiou* Ceremooiei, Pneate,
and Cuitome .. 95

LETTER XVI.

De*cription of the ft. TV®u or Syria* Chrirtiaoa-'nialr
Prt M f M um of bringing them Uck lo the right way-Thoir
antiquity, and hietory - >00

LETTER XVI L

Of the Ronuu Catholic Prieete in Ualabar, and their Convert,
among the Heathen. ••••*•••• eeeaeeeee

LETTER XVIII.

Of the Jew, Black and White »»

LETTER XIX.

Account of the TIoora in Vil a b e r . - 1 IS

LETTER XX.

Of the Naira (Sudraa', or wimor ante of MUabar— Their familial,
occupation, mode of varfara, ami uuabera. l*i

LETTER XXL

Account of the Chegoo. and other low carte* of Malalur 127

LETTER XXII.

Account of the Tattan* and their privilege* ; of tho Canareac,
their manner of life, «lirut>i» of carte. nuptial aud fuueral caw-
■nonioi, aud fcaat* . and of the Jagi* - law

LETTER XXIII.

.Millibar Tenqd-a-IUIigioa. -errke-Bereuoe. attached to the
tanidea— M->l« of «oo«ocratioa >*"

LETTER XXIV.

Uupmtitioew of the Satire*-!!** they orweerat* their houm—
Their chan** afua* the evil eye-Augurie. on building their
homo*— The respect for the Kalu true, and the aUte of departed
ioub— ExorcUm*-LKky and uulocky Omen*. >«

lOSTEST*.

LETTER XXV.

p «9*-

Discrepancy between tbe Chrooolofiee of Holy Scripture, and
thou of the (table NaUoan An account of the frMt day* of
IbeUakbar*

LETTER XXVL

Account of the Pepper, Turmeric, Cardamom, and Arece of Mak-

LE1TER XXVII.

ItacripUon of the Coco* P*ln» ; the Makbar Cinnamon, and
Coffee ahrub — Sanctity of Cow* and Snake, and the eye. of the
Maleben — Orta Snakes— Quantity of Crocodile. — Dangerx* i>
Kitea-Fire-Flta -

As Accocar or TsavaxiOM, axo F*a Baaroioxro'* Ibmi
IS THAT COCSTBT..- -

LETTER I.

•Itmti-s ol U.UW Urn asm -F.ral rvi.iiixuUn

Vo llto Uf *• ■ P4mM Mm lk< H(Uw4i<iiJ UrM.-'nia

(^,-4 » CW,— W a-N-U,-, (te, u

W (eaui Mr .w — ft— 4 4sf%

Though th© brund ocean, which roll* between the Nether-
landa and Malabwr. presents a harrier to my personal enjoy-
ment of. your detigfitAil society. it can neither extinguish
my affection nor prevent me from holding communication
with you by letter. I therefore dispatch this, as the first
tribute of our constant ' friendship, in which I propose to
relate the origin of Malabar according to the tradition of
the natives.

This country of Malabar is situated about 10 degrees
north of the Eqaator, stretching from Ope Comorin iu the
south to Mount Delli in the north. The inhabitants aro
called by us M'Jaham, by the Portuguese, Malavaru, and by
thamnelve* UaUeaUtr.* This word properly signifies Mon n-
iaineen. not thnttLey dwell amid lofty mountains, for the

E reater |«rt of the country, stretching along the sea coast,
fiat and maishy ; but tlie name must be derived from the
original colonials, who were a mountain nice.

Their legend, donl*W» embellished by fiction, is as fol-
lows: — Is by-gone ages, the sea washed the foot of a moun-
tain range, whteh now lira 7 or 8 miles inland. The men
who dwelt in the neighbourhood gained their subsistence
by Halting along the mountain shorea. Now it hap|>ened
that there dwell at Oocania near Goa. a certain nropliet
universally renowned f..r aanctitr, whom name was Paroem
Haitian. He. discovering to him awrow tlmt his aged
mother Im< 1 acquired au evil saioriety in U»« neighbour!, .od
for Iter mUdeol*. felt suable to etnlsre the public shame
she had brought uj-hi him. At length, inspired by a divine
impulse, he seined a rice wisnow, and hurled it with tre-

’ Jf«w, •gats.* * — tola, aid • JiMnct m iv.nirj II. 1 ).

I.HTEIU FROM UAI.AKlR.

meinlou* force fi mu Gocama right over I hr *•« : l.v a won-
rlvrful miracle it wa* curried forward ah fur ah Ca|io I 'oniorin,
ti | hiii which all tile aoa between the two plaov* immo*liat«ly
alriotl UK ami wu» Inm.foiuicd into that tract of level laud,
t.» which we now give the name of MabiUr. The prophut
ivsolvcd to take up hi* abode with In* 1 . 1 ..O ..-1 in (Ilk
atnuigv In I, Imping here to find a hilling plmw for Iwr din-
ginre Meantime, the (i-Jieno.-n of tin.* moinitain*. hearing
•«f the miracle, Ihwk.xl into tlioe h.wlamU to nvk for tin*
M'n-ho'o. Tlie |oophet met tiiein. ami, knowing (lint a hunl
ivithiNit inhabitant* i* wa*te ami do*, date. |~i.uaded them
t.) remain ami settle tlwre ; ami in onlnr the nnae to attract
tliem. Im* invented them with tiie dignify of BmliiniiiN,
prom Wing nt tlw Mine time to support them alter hia <rl.|
eiiatom. by which lie »« pledged In pmviJc fond ihiily for
3.UU0 of lliat caste. He then took the Hailing neta with
which they were laden, and tore them into stiiuuls, which
lie twisted together, to make the three cords which tho
Brahmins wear a* a sign of tlieir dignity tied in a knot on
the shoulder, and falling down below the waist. These
Brahmins of MalaUvr are called Narabooiies and are re-
proached by the other Brahmins, for their descent from
fishermen.*

You will agree with me in treating this story ns a meie
fiction, but there ia probably 9orne foundation in fuel for it,
as there is for moat ub!*s : and any one who carefully exa-
mines these lowland*, will grant that formerly they must
have been submerged umler the va Not only do they lie
so low. that like the coast of Holland they arc under water
iu the rainy season, but they are in many part* broken up

• Amaior SMS mi (Ms Ira**-* I. .. Ub~* Who. P.iuHur.,
uwu was p»ri.«i..ii* |>hm «b lb- VI.luM.lr-. *licn>. liw Im.n y

l—Mt> -o- »ktarW lb. k Ww. be It* 1 1..I .... .11 l.|. .mo.
tiie d.»-f I»mu> < I “* M»a. <-*»c b> Ilia. .-I. h...i. x ., 1 . 11.1 him. wlvUnl
him m ik. ... k. i~— V. ..4 o. l-m< i- !*:•.« ib. IohJ .i K.n>k wbkb

b.-l U.n «.l-.wn<~l I.H-W. Il- I* . I.r-n-i -rf- l , .r.-li,u.io-n In.

iimluiMv «.«! «.. lb- n-.fi.'— .1. . -I UA-..— *i..l hutU'i* .»
rMoaiwl the Uml fern* 'b* — » o '•> »• i™ »W- is. Ml Tltu Haul ,

... Oh« C—wb. — — -►!* —A UAinw. .* (be o(b«. Ttov »r* ll.m.
<J« Uw “< X...U Tula mi4 H-<» Vnm Otiw tWulu t« lb.
new KaiivU-.i- I. iM K.r*U Im-ow The ukUW Vrvm tl...... U lb.

Tula iltvi-hm TW U.' i.»rl •« lb* H*w» •!'*>» «. ib. <>f uhhlh i*

ll>« rlrer Itul., IT—* lb..* J...— .. rain..* whit U t*m call.l
M-l.e.lm. r.iiMau.. b*<«« lb a. err.t-J lb. Iu.l .rf Knala. •uimauond
|Ik> IhMh » (w*4kb n«Br, »l BMile »eer 1W o mmti y l« U..IO, sail

K.MIIU chief .ulkunly t» lU. <mm lb. •.•ptsem-v'- »<.l »eva|ali<«- of lb*

Icir <«••»*. oaanle. iW HriSmia ibr K.t.lin, (Vi-bi. and III* Sndu, hr
r**l«l faun hi- wl- M l*.

AITKARAKCE or TIIK I.OW COVXTUT.

islet* l»y the water* of tin* eve, which flow in channel*
between them, ami into which the rivers from the niniin-
!"•••* «>ni|*ty themwlve*. May we uot then Unit

IhU low ami broken laml i* uadwd over entirely from time
to timet We know that in •nine Ktin>|wan countries llm
M'S enc'iMchea mi the land. ami in other platvs recede*. it
•" true, no dmiM. that many noil* <*f tlic *lmre are elevated.
Nearly the wlmle cuaat Am Roily Quilou to Poiiany it low
nml In nkeii ii|> liy nnmeniui waterconrwa. Isit the tent of
Qnihin Is -Imp nml risky, or rather it ia merely a rock
covered with a stratum nf soil ; mi that here it WnllM went
the laml enn never Imtc been under water. While I mu
on the subject of this rocky district, 1 nimt add that tliu
"tone •* very well adapted for building. There are quarries
here from which the atones are hewn ; and I have own tlm
atone when well cut from the rock, split like wood under
the stroke of the axe. The stonew reddish yellow and
spotted," very pnrons and full of hole*, :n which the lime
i Mai in building, gets mixed up, and the whole heeomet so
well consolidated, that old stone is often preferred to new.

The Hast India Company find this atone very services hie
for erecting their fortresses and factories, and* die inliabi-
tin to use it in building their houses.

Bur to return from this digression. I must inform you
that Hie variety of soil here causes a marked difference in its
fertility. It is true, generally speaking, that the pleasant
champaigns and sweet clover livid* with which Holland
abounds, are not to be found here, nor is it the case that tliu
field* are clotlr.-d witli many coloured flowem, breathing
sweet fmgnincc, a» the poet Anlooidcft has it, iu hi* poem on
tho river Y+.

" TW IraWal tUkii, >U U— .... s May,

“ Fw »>»» link* lS» raith "ilk ttmj pj."

This i* |>oetinil license deviating far from the real truth,
ns, commonly, the vegetation is but thin and scanty, and tho
fiold* are any thing hut rich in downs. It is true, indeed,
that tho low «andy liseti are more fertile than the more
elevated ami rocky district*, for while tlieac yield nothing
hut live*, ami tree fruit*, the former contain vast expansca

* Uteri* Mow wUih is hmm» B aw rt oae tad Ur- it a ThtoUffi me »
amil, m t«t Hi -i.-. pttcv% H. P.

t AaSre U w *« .Ur tom. • P»wh ,~i -H. fr-uiUkH iu thr wvmtwnih
mil it 17 HU |*iixipil «rork •» 1 1— m m ikr nm V. a. Iks - YrtTvom."
See <^>nrV»lj lUrer-. Vol V f 57.

LETTERS TROW UlMdir

of rioe fiefl*, which um» productive that liter suffice to
furnish rice not only t»r the whole of Malaleu, but al.o for
exportation. It i» cm inaa tl»at w. dry n plant M rioc grow*
in the water In fact *he nati\c* *nw the nrh/ in the low
lying meadow*. at the tiino wlien tlicy are a knit or two
wilder water. Mattering the need in the water, through
which it ainka to the earth, and there lake* root ; when nlmut
a loot high the seedling* moat be tnuiM.lanted.

ProvWrona are all cheap here. cajK-eudly rice and meat,
A pig can Ire bought for a dollar, a p-ud calf for half a
dollar, a f.rwl for 10 cent*. Thia must be ntirilntted lo the
habitn of the native*. among whom it would be considered
a sacrilege to eat beef —merely to kill a cow being a crime
pan inked by death without mercy. Some ca«tc* are prw-
mitted to eatotlwr meat-*, but it i* little dene ; the Brahmins
have n mortal abhorrence of animal food, and make use of
nothing that lias had life.

Upper Malabar is very elevated, and contains many
mountain ranges rising one behind the other. It boast* few
mineral productions, except iron, which is heat out in small
bars and exported to Mocha. There are no volcano** in
this part of the world, nor are any serious convulsions of the
earth known. Indeed there has never been an earthquake
within the memory of man. while, in the countries lying
further to the East, both volcanoes and earthquakes are
most common.

LRTTKIt II.

ft. 4kof>lws u. IK# I'T »l iK' WH .rf Ibrm Th.

tataMtioa J — « , —a IK. .tb<U iK#n« »««

Thk grent reaped ! entertain for your judgment rau-c*
me lo take up my pen with .fitttdence, being aware tlwl my
letter* nr* not worthy to meet your eye; but I tnmt to your

kindness lo overlook their deficiencies. mi. I to lie satisfied
will) mr desire lo inform you of ell that 1 have observed in
tlicsc distant lamia.

I remember to have read in certain l«*»k« of travels Unit
there are men to he met with in Uk* Al|* wlumo necka are
covered with swelling*. and tliat the iniiabitantH look upon
them as ornamental.* Similar swellings are often to l«e seen
on |>cntons in this country ; but licre llie disorder generally
attacks tl*c legs, and other parts of tlic body besides. t
disorder always begins with a fever, which they here call
the raging fever, which sometimes causes delirium, and as
tlie strength of the malady increases, great pain is felt in
the legs or in other pari* attacked : tlie fever t!*en settling
in the suffering part, causes it to swell in a frightful manner.
In the commencement of tl«e disorder, U*c swellings subside
again, but as tlie fever returns, at intervals of one or two
months, or a longer period, they reappear and become pci -

• Th» -u'hor iUl«*U> to ibt p-«— ~ Th# -uUnl

revUr wilt rwdkei ifc. ho. la }*) gw» UwMwa

jpilti.r m,ml.r m AI|W»i M » TK# ufaw. -« « • oUUt • O..IU.rv-t ll ««
fenrefly -M-wl U*a U.. tf-t-Ur ~*li«C -'r •ll"'"-' m enu-
Irlr* «.nh - ftwUMfM . 0.1 SB***. -ml Uml M. "O*- tam drlnkin*

•now raw. It ■. foowt U «rt— • ot Houik Awwim. Bo

»•),». ovt U Orwl Bnum. wywwU, to tV-hrUnr- Imi .Wni t H-
U-n t-IM lh« - D-l7*« Smek " lu «*"• « «*7 ** ** « J'~

..Ik in ooi.ntnm, bolh «Kw« w nM -orf wfcw* ll <U" iw.1, rfnsklBf -u-
w.ur « so km^w b. m-M - lh# rw~ •* itt .H—rux. H. D.

« Kl.pk.nl—. or Cockm ta* Ttk frets* lo • r*« Mlrel -mnn* lh.
1-a.biUn,. c4 Ui« VMn Cw* . mU»j «**'»>" ""-»J WUiwto Mo
dkoornH lor Ik. W port. Aort of ll U mow Ih-a proUbl.

Ib-l UJ — Ur u*t W awl, -ro lb. imoW maws •« U--M IV

I.EITfcKa IKON MAI. unit.

Mnneirt: so lli'it men have I«b found m itli J.-g* as Lliick as
my waist and ollwr ft iglnftil iwrUn^

TIiim malady i-tuim* I-- nvriU-d Uiaiiy particular iiuUmi or
nice of limn. I mwmlw to ln«> rad dial it attacks only
till! St. ’I Iwura* Christians, and (Jmii they may l»e know'll
l*,V this murk ; lull nothing can lie inure nl-uml lliaii niicIi

'» for we »oe every day |wnple of all kinds, men and

women, Mn home Inns. Ileallnfii*. ami Christians, nnd even
Kurvpvnn* who rraMe hare, attacked by it You. who have
yiven your mind to Uie investigation of nature, will no
douhl lie aide to give a miHicienl reaeon for llieac facia; but
I trust you will have the goodness to weigh my opinion,
which may poeilily assist in tiie explanation.

1 believe that the cause of the disorder in in the water
and the soil, nnd |«rtly also in the air. which is filled
with va|N>nr drawn up from the water. It np|>oars tlint in
the low lying pans of Malabar in the neighbourhood of
Cochin, the earth is full of saitjietre or some other sub-
stances, which mingle with the water of tlie pools or rivers
near tire sea coast ; and tl»e people who constantly drink
this water acquire a disorder and fever which causes at firat
•shivering, an<l then drives the particles which occasion the
fever into a certain part of the system. These ( articles
Wing sharp and pungent, cause great [rain, and at lust
distend tlie small vessels in the articled legion, which after
the first a ccf of the complaint, suUidc again, but after fresh
| articles Imve been driven in bv fresh feven*. tiro enlarge-
ments not only remain fixed but increase in size. On tiro
legs thus deformed, lire flesh becomes loose and «|K>ngy :
but tli is makes thorn light also, so tlint however enlarged
they may be in size, the |«tirnt* can walk witli great em--.

Those remarks of mine seem to be strengthened not only
by the taste of tho water of tiiose lowlands, which is
brackish and unpleasant, but by actual experience ; for tho
people who are in better circumstances, and can get ilioir
water higher up, from tho river Mnngntti, are seldom visited
by this disease, while on U.o other hand those who drink
tho water of tlie neighboiiritood suffer from it much. On
tlii* account the K. 1. Company has wisely ordeiod that this
water should no longer be given out to Uic garrison, but wa-
ter fmm the Msngatti instead ; and it has been obaerved
tlint the malady has been much less prevalent among tlie
lroo|«s since that time. I must add that the juice of the
young ciKimnuts » also very deleterious ; and my neighbour

DISKASKN, AND Til KIR C'AfKIX Tilt REASONS.

l.»

Mill tluit lie him— -If hod caught tlie disorder fruui limb
ohN 1 . Tlio rvoiRHi is plain : fur we know tlmt the vtwl*
of tlic coo Mini t pdm are «»f snnt wi.|ih. so tlmt it imbibe*
'v*U»i from tin- with jti«l a* il i*. without detaching it from
lli« iwrtitffci* of uiltpetre : wnl i" tin* »'atc the fluid on tew
• he Voting nut. the interior of which irmUiii* nothing
lull n sort of water rarln-r >«i<vt in taste, nml eonanpiently
il gives ris<* In thu miim- di*M«irr *• the wain of the well*.

I .mi «o fortunate »« net vr ti» have suffered from thisd.*-
oi s though I could iN>tm|« innllnr, which the native*
lonii which nUnchrd me almost every inoiitli,

U'ginning with prut iiiieasii. a* ami imin in flic bowela. and
unili.it* “'‘I' v Wcnlnidliirn ami diarrhcca. The Indians hnvo
a Curious remedy for it, which i» to lake a hot iron and bnm
the soles of the feet witli it- 'lliia often has n good effect

Not to detain you any longer with those |riiuful topicB,
1 shall now turn to descriptions of other natural phenomena,
nnd proceed to relate briefly the course* of Ura Reasons in
this part of the world.

One hardly till. Is here that difference of seasons which is
ex]vricnccd in Kutopo : for neither are heavy hailstorms."
nor thick falls of snow, nor liard frosts, ever seen or felt in
these puts. One must divide tlie year into two J/oiia.nw.f
or seasons, the one being the |«erio.l of dry weather, the
other the period of rain. The dry season may l>e divided
again, tiret into a temperate season, when the air is toler-
ably cihiI : this (■•gins iu November, when the atmosnhere
is bright ami clenr; tlm S. H land winds then begin to blow,
iiilnining their great •''I fora; iu January and «ul<siding again
in Kebrunry. They blow every iiHwning during this |K-liod,

• IliiUoi. luo II, OTinr4 la il— dieiiri*. lli«<gti lhe> »n>

of Tory r»rv iKiunvan, .4 antaaaal —oil, ■«vwr»U <«li 1*4 uwitlU

(April i vtii m il- 1 ..-U .4 . 1 — if It I*.

t A kn-wWifec «i Ike ■>->—•• -ur •- Wwsal fiwa wry mite a*«l*,
HtmilxiMl my. i l—l »riv wt <4 ill- »*•

While* »l dw MS.U— «S >o »k-k »»*•<•'►« » — *. faiano-l M*««ti

Uiw Eastern l.».« ,4 Air,,-. >ml O- N.ath .-I « . a-i. pari. <4 India Altai
Ruing -|-nl mil iwaeb. U •.uiftliag t>- li.lu. Uia.vu N»uii .. tin Hy.Wa
pm *i.l 1‘atUla. with a ■ af -po.tng Hrrr h> a Hnltoioil Haiti*.
N«i.|,i..ha-WK*H..«aifr-«»-rs.« II- —th-f li- Indua at II- U
ginning. 4 iMdar . nnor I— tnrw that k» pa-ng* awM '«• fanniwl by ill*
N K. .lint K— t.ni Mai— now in itr- ai- 1 .„ >U-1 .4 loitmlr Tb ka—Mjcv ..I
llii*..HMikaU-l...l .hf-i-n <4 I*- w»k -.w .|.naiO» ar.il-t l..iw. I »*v. K »
f.iia In >llxii|4 li. nail I Ivan Onfn «• llw SO ail. IUtnlu-ii<h4s<iuulli-

u( -.hsui..MuaiTi..«uU.af Min«4^e IR. C.-.I M4..».w-n,..iiuin .4 lrjd«. t«»
which pradaU.fnan th- tUa-ww 4.<v. -4 u— InJoa paiiiii u,l». amt nan gal l
■Vatu il*** *1— lam i*Kit— * Raimi, *ir leifl.1 '<J ••Inwt liwkk- ;• •.«•*«—. i

1 «

LKTTEIBi VKUM MALAIUR

ftiul are found by ck|«lieim to 1* prrjodidlit. After this
follows Uw Ik* mww, win’ll, the wind ouaiing. the air be-
• uiucn pxc(flinj!ly wilin', c*|*vially in the tnivnooii and
nl night, I wen inn* then* n not (lie slightest bi«.<c* to ©ool it j
whereas, in tlie nfiirmwa, tlufe i* often n wind lloui the "on.
lu tlie month of Alnjr the *«mi begin* to clmiige. 'Jim
heaven* ksnirne over-imad wiUi heavy dmals. and violent
Mtorun of thunder and lightning occur. I ouinut Hnd tliut
ihme storm* can*- an much damage a* among imin Holland.
I Im cause of wliicli I take to l*e the rarefaction of the air
llinnigh tlw continued lieat of the ami, an that I lie thunder
and lightning finding lua olntrnction . Urome more eaaily
dillWd ami tall to the emth with diminished force. Tlio
rainy season ■•cl* in at tin- end of May or beginning of .Tune,
and last* till October, bringing |*-r|«cUi.d storms of rain,
often accompanied by violent wind*. It would be well
worth the trouble of any pliilosnplier to enquire into the
enuse of this rainy season : and 1 consider it my duty to
■peculate upon it, lecauae tlie plienomenn afford some clue
to tlie decision of the question.

In tlie hot season we find thwt tlie wind blows entirely
from the North and West: on which account ships then
coming from Persia and Surat hnvea «|ieedy voyage. It is
also ceitain that a.*, during that time, the powerful action of
the sun causes a quantity of vapours to Accumulate in tlioso
regions, aini rain falls their a* little as it dots here, tliere-
foie tlie N. W. wind must drive tlmne vapours in a south*
easterly diicclimi, till tliey mcel Uie mountain nuigua which
are a barrier lo their further p ry These mountain* am
the Mime which stretch Irina C«pe Comorin tbiough Asia.
Now tlir vapours. a* tliey ap|4VMHrb tlieae mountain*, get
more and morv condensed : till at length, in tlie mouth of
Wav. tliey are forced down by violent w ind*, then rtlaaiud
ngaiu, and tinull v dcureml in min mi all plmen Kituatc«l West
of the cliui n. Tliut tlicw imiuiiUiina n>o the true anuso of
the rainy season «(>p*wra from the eirvunmlnnoo that when the
rainy senaoii art* in on tin* ride of the chain, on the other
Hide, just at the mm* time, the dry seinmn la-gin*. Hence wo
nre frequently a-tmiislied to find dial in two pl.ice* onomio*
aito slojies of the wine mountain, one Inn tlie rainy and the
other tlie dry weather at tlie wmr titm-: and when, on our
side, the taiM leave off ami tlie S. K wind- la-gill to blow,
ju-l then the rain* comm-mv on tlie Coi.unandi l Const.

And while unr»ii lb,- subject of tin- wralliei, I mast

ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

observe (lint, in these countries, ilonn* do not Inst so long
ns with u# in Holland ,fcr. while, there, we often know them
continue without intormuno* few two or tlireo days, here,
on the contrary, high wind* never maintain tlreir violent*
beyond an liour or two, when a caliu ensues, after which
the wind rimm again : reaembling in this circumstance iho
sudden whirlwind* ( Txnniltm) which navigator* encounter
in the tropic*, and chiefly near the Kquator. These atorma
come on very quickly, and generally cud as suddenly. First,
n small cloud is seen, which increases rapidly, and then,
whirled onwards by a strong wind, burnt* in heavy rain.
It is very curious to observe how suddenly the clouds
gather in the midst of a dear and hot atmosphere It
would scorn that some vapour* in the lower portion of the
Atmosphere are prevented by the powerful action of the
sun s rays from collecting together ; then, driven up higher
than usual, they encounter a cooler stratum of air, by which
they are condensed together with all the other vapours that
meet them bv the wav (like the steam condensed on tho
hd of a tea-kettle); then, urged forward like an ever-
increasing snowball, by tl* force of tl* wind and the heat
of the sun. they become overcharged witli weight, and
finally precipitate themselves to the earth. A description
of this kind of storm or something like itscems to be given
us in 1st Kings xviiL 44. 45 Behold a little cloud no

bigger than a man’s baud rose out of the sea and it

came to pass in the meanwhile that the heavens were black
with clouds and wind, and there came a great rain.”

In conclusion, I will note the effect* of tlio rainy season
on our roadstead. This it doses up entirely ami chokes
with sandbank*, on which the replied waves break with
violence. Tl**e snndbnnks begin to form in tho mouth of
May, nnd aro wash.d away in September ami October.
Tli.ir formation and tlicir detraction are owing jwrtly to
the action of the river, and partly to that of tho sea for.
at tho commencement of the season tho river empti<* itself
with great impetuosity into the aca, dragging with it n
quantity of sand : on the other hand, tho wave of tho sen
acting in the opp*wit* direction, stop tho progress of the
wind just where tho two bodies of water break u|inn each
other This i» the reason why the sandbanks at that time
are constantly augmenting ; but, when the fore ..r tho sen
HUl*>idc*t, nnd the river ha< still a vast weight of water to
■•nrry down, then the vindlnnk* arc washed away again.

LETT KR nr.

DwcripUoe 0 1 C.A.. .1-1 C-i—i-Cgadert c 4 U»« Ko*Ud,

I amt now give you a description of Cochin .• tbo place
where I am settled. It wu wrested, as you are no doubt
aware, together with other fort*, from tho Portuguese, by
the arm* of our East India Company. During tho war
with that nation, in tho year 1062. the Admiral Kyklof van
Reede was de*|»*tcl>ed from Batavia with a fleet to besiege
this town ; but the Governor defended it with no much reso-
lution that the attempts of the Admiral were foiled, and the
mortality among his men compelled him to retreat. Tho
courage of the gallant sailor was not cooled by this failure.
At tho close of the same year He returned with a fleet, and
nflcr some conflicts a captain named Pierre du Pont succeed-
ed in making himself master of one of the gates; upon which
the Governor Ignatio Sarmento capitulated, being allowed
to march out with his troops and baggage, and with all the
Portuguese inhabitants with their false gods and images.
This conquest took place on the 8th of January 1863 ; and
the anniversary ia still celebrated by a sermon in the morn-
ing, and in the evening by the display of banners aud dis-
charge of guns from the walla.

The piiucipal founders of Cochinf were Francisco and

DracKjrnos or cochin.

Alphonso Albuquerque, who visited this country in 1504,
in the reign of King Emanuel of Portugal It was after-
wards much enlarged and beautified under Vaaoo, bo that it
became one of the wealthiest commercial towns in the Indies,
and was erected into an Episcopal See by tbe Roman Pon-
tiff The Portuguese have atill a titular Bishop of Cochin,
whose reaidenoe is at Goa or near Quilon ; but he does not
possess the slightest authority here. This town formerly
contained handsome churches, but they have been either
demolished, or oonverted into magazines. The Church of
St. Francisco alone remains, and is used for our reformed
service ; while the Roman Catholics perform thair services
outside the city, having several churches scattered over
the country. Before it fell into tlio hands of the East
India Company. Cochin must have been a consider-
able town, is is proved by the remains of buildings
which are every whore to be seen ; but, since that time,
it has become much leas prosperous, in consequence of tbe
restrictions imposed by the Company upon its commerce,
which, under the Portuguese, bad been entirely free, with
the exception of the titles due to the Rajah. The town is
situated at the mouth of a noble river abounding in fisb.
with pleasant well wooded hanks, and studded with many
islets which are planted with cocoanut palms. If wealthy
persons ever settled here, as they do in Batavia, they might
lay out very pretty villa residences and gardens upon these
shores.

thr*- up tlx .axil UUnd oi VJpera oo the axth Jde pt Cochin llx wa-
tere bickior through the bub ef the n—r Com. e-rpt »»'? W.o tillage,
■0.1 (ortaed . rtr« and bok nlo, and X epttiou. a harbour, that Urge

•hire oad lx xicl* »l anrb* la Ux n.er am the Korthte* (Me ci the ton of
Codhla. Valpaea a tbiituo mOm lex ext .ex UW. The Bailees data
tbe.r ere. ffot.i the period of it. ertfia It b eeled the JWeeerypa fioui
too MoUyJum word. peedee, an. ead ix.a.UUxv

Bartoheaeo art, ~Gxhh> b a hew.uful eity, hu.lt by the Portufuee., In
the tenth jre. efter the antral -I VxeoJeO.ax .t Celk.it. In IMS, It woe
1— i-ip .l by • Daub iret under the eommtnd of P. t-r Viui Hiller, and C.
Vslhenbert »**• "-b thxoeJ.x i-Mtrre of It. and -ho rant'd off from It »
-rent rlej of rWhee. After thrt per»d I be bxoUfal relholrel coaveilxl
Into • —ereboixe fee the Doth Ext led* Company. It U lale r aeJed by
beautiful etreeta ; the ueenj U -.11 |— tfcb .1 -Mh Jl hind, of military
end the ntvlel I. etr-erty fertited. The Utter la the you 1778. wm »up-

e -.lt new ill tehee, betdgea, hu-rtee .1,1 herfk^ under Ux dirertioti of
hiremor Adrien Nona 1 *

Thu Adrien Van Mete haa left a MS. *eeo art al Corhiu Including ite
hiatorr, trade, manufxturae, the eiMtom. sad reiiffino of the (tuple, he- It
fun ix a Urge eohuae mi a ao» the Outturn,™ I Keo-rd- of Mll.br,

■ad ia undoubtedly, a document full of intnret Mid inl-eim.-.on— II D.

LETTERS FROM MALABAR

£0

As regards tl»c fortification*, they are sufficient to protect
the town against the natives, who do not understand the
science of beaieging. the methods of bombarding, &c. ; but
they would not be strong enough to resist a largo Kuropenn
force, csjiecially as the garrison, consisting of only 300 men,
is inadequate to man the walla.

The circumference of the town is tolerably extensive. It
would take a man a good half hour to walk round the
walls; but the space enclosed by them contains several
unoccupied portions. Tbe streets are regular enough, but
the houses are quaint, and built after the old Portuguese
fashion. Each apartment lias a separate roof. The dwelling
rooms are not level with the ground, but you mount several
steps to reach the bail, which is Uie first ajutrLtnent of the
house : underneath are empty chambers, in which probably
the Portuguese lodged their slaves, or Rtowcd away their
goods. Most of the rooms in the common I Kiuses are plaster-
ed. after the Hindoo custom, with cow dung, which serves
for paving, and is renewed every week. They say hero
that such Hoots are much more wholesome than stone ones;
it is certain at least that they retain the dampness in tho
rainy season.

The town of Cochin is inhabited by Christians, for the
Heathens are not allowed by their own laws to dwell in it.
The inhabitants comprise, however, different classes : there
are the native Christians, the Topasses, and the Europeans;
the last, who form the most considerable portion of them,
comprising also the mixed race. sprung from European fathers
and native mothers. This is the class chiefly employed in
tho service of tlie East India Company, though they seldom
rise to higher offices than that of book-keej»er.

There w a very commodious roadstead at Cochin, in
which several ohipa from all parts of the world nnnunlly
enst anchor ; as Malabar, aituaU-d aa it wore in tho oontio
of the East Indie*, is a convenient station for vessels to
refit ami take iu water, fuel, and provisions (which articles
are good and plentiful hero) before continuing Uicir voyage,
vessoLi from Batavia to Mocha, or from Persia nnd Surat to
Batavia, touch here, as well aa French and English ships
on their way to and from their Indian settlements. It is
also frequented by Moorish vessels. It is true that nono
but small craft can enter llie river, on account of the sand-
banks, above which there are not more than eleven
or twelve feet of water and. in the rainy season, large ships

DistiirnoK ok calicct.

cannot remain in the roadstead ; but. about four league*
from Cochin ia a bay called Muddy Bay.* where they may
lio securely in the mud.

Next to Cochin I shall place the capital of Malabar, Ca-
licut, + which baa been made famous by Portuguese books
of travels, and also by ita being tiro scat of Government of
the Znmorin. This town is called by the native* Kant-
kovrt, which signifies heuwop. The reason they give for
this name ia that when Cberamnenim&l divided lus king-
dom. he gave to the Zamorin for his share only so much
land ns the sound of a cock crowing from ita percli could bo
heard over. You mu*t not aupnoeo that this town is in
nny way to be compared with those of Euro|ie, or that it
co*«e* up to the exaggerated descriptions of the old Portu-
guese travellers. It possesses neither walls nor fortifications
of nny sort, but is built irregularly along lire shore. In tho
baaiar or market place alone is there any order in the ar-
rangement of the houses. These, which are mostly built of
stone and covered with the dried leaves of tho palmyra
tree, are of so miserable a description that they can be com-
pared to nothing one sees anywhere eke. Being a free
port, Calicut is frequented by various races. Among the

• Mod Bit or Muddy Bit. U lb. eaaaaKrdal port o' AUr[«pto in tlie king-
•Uaa of Tra-inoirr, M m.U» aocth <4 Octal. rwrorkalito I- tb. AiguLu
natural bn-alc water formed ia Ita open c— Al i as <4 ‘ l«ig sad »ido
lank o( mml, U* <d<ct » I .bit* i. ao CMapktoJy to br~k tb. warn* lUU
J,i,- all Ac. oui securely anchor aad U. ator«uiost w*m of live year
in U.. i.p-n n«*U. wW. ik. »»ur M perfectly calm Tb* twfgta of UiM
dopraiUon .4 mud. Un D.TCT In aaurfaetootly a.o.mt-1 f,*. It import* •
dirtr odour to Hit water wl uuto II thtdi sod dimy. It li.ui alliftod mol*
or Us -tthlo 111. l-t matury. but aol la «n» groat rttool A 4mil» drpndt
n»u At Samtkul .bout 10 mitra wwth of and the advantage of Oil.

tutor plana. a. a nat.nl UrU».r 1 - ikiM«% bar r-wntly brou brought
to tli* notice of lb. Bnu.li Iknml -H. I«.

t Til* well known city o I Caitowt. which Km ..prow-no-d nidi a varlcgato.1
fat*, lira -i U,. uamad, ia tk« UuUnk of 11* *A. It tun.uto portly

.4 bon*. K.ratnKtod ml Unl.o.1, and 1 -rtly ol but. mpA of (mint
bnUMba. l»U»w...«. through rarb -U-T. ad orawd with H» Of

•ton* bulMuiga tbero aro wry tow Tho tortran of Calicut la of miKli p i.lcr
antiquity thin tb. «t» to -b.h * baa giro* .to n»m. Tl- native. .4 Mali
U.r l*li»t» tlmt it wiatotlt to l.*awm r ~~ a/ from « bom all Ui. |-tt, Malabar
prlnn* am dcocrmM. TM* city — ' stood a I— to tb. ground by Tlpp*.
Bultin. who daatroyad ito fl -u- htog t~** : * lu ™ jyui.try tb.

am* bank* a»l facto-* ol tb. (•wmg. ratoocUl boom; ca..a*l all llio COCOS-
nut au.l puudal ti»ra to hoc* down; aad -wd.ro I th. poppri |danto in tho
wbuto an 'minding iltoivct to be torn op l-y tb* roots and cron to to klteknl
I'.ao thrw- photo, M bo rakl. btowtfit rkhw to tlic BniWeSW
au<l nmliM ttom to cany on war agunrt tU ladiaos.— AarM-wm'l lopyr
**.• AVaf /■*/«..

22 LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

Europeans, the English and French have factories there,
the former being the most influential. The Moors also are
in great force, ahd form the majority of the inhabitants.
They are not very favourable to the English, whom the
fonr of the Zamorin alone prevents them from attempting
to ex|tel from the city. Mr. Adams, the head of the Eng-
lish in these parts, never vontures into the streets unarmed,
which is a plain proof of the fear he entertains of the inha-
bitants. The English, depending on the favour of the Za-
ntorin, do not refrain from injuring the Mahometans in un-
derhand ways. They will reform the bandits who lurk in
the vicinity, somo seven or eight leagues from the town,
when the Moorish Aim-idea (or small vessels uned for trad-
ing along the coast) are about to depart with merchandize, so
that they may take the opportunity to pillage them. •

Calicut, though still a commercial town, is falling into
decay. Many ships, both English, French aud Moorish,
however, keep up their trade with it, because there are no
restrictions on commerce, with the excep ion of a duty of
5 per cent, paid to the Zamorin on all imports, to cnforco
which he keeps officers stationed here As the English
have the largest bird ness they are the u.-«*t favoured by the
Zamorin, whom also they often supply with money when
he is in want of it

Mr. Adams, the head of the English in this place, was
brought up there from a child, and having, fiom his youth,
trailed with the people of Malabar, he acquired a familiarity
with (heir language which gained for him much influence
among them. In consequence of this advantage, bo was
chosen by the English as their Governor. Being an enemy
to our Company he incited the Zamorin to the late war, him-
self lending, in order to promote it, 100,000 rix dollars, with
which that Prince defrayed the expense* of the w«r:--we
Iiavq no reason to doubt this story, since ho even sent Eng-
lish office ni to assist the Zamorin.'lo defend Fort l’aponotto
against our arms. Nay more, when Clictwa was conquered
l.y tl io Zamorin. and our people expelled, the English
immediately erected a factory Uiere, in order to secure tho
pepper-trade ; this factory woa destroyed .when tho fort was
re taken. From all this, it is evident that llio Dutch have
but little good to expect from the English, and that they
cannot prevent that people from playing their game slyly
whenever it is in their power. The English cannot but
look with envious eyes upon the great influence our Com-

(OX DOT OF THE ENGLISH.

p*nv potMttM in India, aud the confidence they inapiio
among the nations with whom they trade. It would bo
lx-ll«r if our neighbour* would examine more closely into
their own behaviour, and tee whether their arrogance in not
the cause of the mistrust and dislike with which they are
regarded.

I will relate an instance of this sort of conduct which
took place at Calicut in the year 1720. The End is h officer,
accond in command there, went out one day to drive in his
mrtingc. It happened to be a day when the prat national
assembly of the Malabar* was collected in the o|»cn nir to
deliberate on tho affairs of the State. The Englishman, in
order to shew his contempt for them, instead of making a
ciicuit, drove right through the multitude, in spite of their
entreaties that he ahould desist from such unbecoming
conduct, which threw the wholo assembly into the utmost
confusion. On the following day, when the assembly met
again at the same place, the Englishman chose to shew
his courage by driving through it again with some ladies
who were in hw carriage. This time the people were
so incensed at the repetition of the outrage, that they struck
their hands to their weapons and cut the carriage to pieces,
and the hero and his amazons bad to cscajic wounded to
tlieir homes. Though this was no more than the miscreant
deserved, yet Mr. Adams, declaring that the conduct of the
natives was cruel aud inhuman, left Calicut and thieatencd
to set the lazaar on tire. The Zamorin, who reaped so
much profit from the English trade, managed to pacify him
nnd to recall him to Calicut, but as the bad i-vling of the
natives towards the English still exists, hv distrusts them
nnd h[>cuda most of his lime at TcUicbcrry.

LETTER IV.

r>Mci Ijitloa ol Qnifcn. A., to. K..lly Qatloo, Porca.1. Cn*«M»oor. Pnliport,

Ctotwn— Dutch (ucvnin (■ Hikhr-NuoUN of Ui« luU wu-Cu»-

!«>»•. An^jo. ood T.Uwbory Uta|>| to (to BMfch-S*Uwn. fomtorly

• ponc-toi of tto D. on. tort not oW toto d.

Your laborious hut booorablo office being connected with
military affiure, it seems fitting, in writing to you. to Mow
the trumpet of WILT, nod I shall therefor* proceed to re Into
the history of tho last which occurred in Malabar. 1 will
give you also a description of the forts situated in tluit
country, that you may conceive a clearer idea of the whole.

About 30 leagues south of the town of Cochin, is tho
Forties of Quilon," which was conquered by the Company
from the Portuguese. It was formerly a town, but is now
only a petty fort, and as the sea washes, and has even under-
mined. « [Ktrtion of the walls, it has now been resolved to
reduce it on that side, so that some of the inhabitants will
I >e forced to break up their houses, and take up their abode
outside the walla This fort is of use in vesting the power
of the Rajahs of Travanenre and ofV^ignati. in whose do-
mnius it is situated ; and as an outpost against the foreign -
ere, especially the English, whose fort at Anjengo is at no
great dUtahee. T!»e Fortress of Quilon commands tho bay
of the same name : tolls are levied from the native traders,
and license* (pawn) issued to thou. ltpoamaws little ter-
ritory inland, hesidi* the plain : on tlie sea side the boundary
is marked by a gate with four atone pillara There are cer-
tain stations in this province, such as TcngajnUuun in tho

• Cullam, Oil*, CWlaa •* Quito., t^uitoo, to XnUynllm, » Unk. I« "»»

a. a <24 ; <i»l lin • Use* .4 ooootatorabto iuj»rtonM.

Tito nnUra «| tto osinlrr togto iWrm (ran M. loumUlton. In liio MUM
nt>nn*r - tto ail... of Ctohl n torn tk-.r. tto o»,«.n ul tto l.l.n .1 of
In fonMi cUto ttotr nr • nu mini uuu.tivc loom. »*"l nunu-
of •'•«■«» “>l torr. Atrsiua Me® no, Uto Sr* ArrftbUtop

"I »«*U « es«*Un» l -n— tor, ublrh aftmroaU Ml into nia. I«»g
toflMtod by (to I hitch. — II. I»

AIWIKE : KI LLY QCTLOK. roiM AD. CftAKOAKOOR. 25

south near C. Comorin, which sene principally am places for
the despatch of letters, and for cutting millstones and other
stones uaod in the service of the East India Company . A
good deal of linen also is woven here, though the trade belongs
to Tutacoria North of Quilon are some other factories, among
which are tho great and littio Aiwikc, situated at the mouths
of rivers, where the Company stations corporals with some
coloured soldiers to prevent the smuggling trade in pe pper.

Tin factory of Kully Quilon is especially noteworthy, being
the first which the East India Company pom u m o d in Malabar.
The Rajah <.f Kully Quilon was the first sovereign who ad-
mitted the Company into his territories, though he would
not grant them permission to erect a fort Al*>ut 400,000 lbs.
of pepper arc annually purchased by the Company in this
place.

Forced ia a second factory, situated nearer to Cochin This
also liears the name of tlie kingdom in which it is situated.
A considerable quantity of rice is |>roduced here owing to tho
fertility of the low lands The Company obtain the snino
amount of pepper here as in Kully Quilon.

There are three forte belonging to the Company to the
North of Cochin, wlierv more danger is to be apprehended
from hostile js.wera Cranganoor is about 15 miles from
Cochin in this direction, situated at a Wnd of the ri ver of the
same name. It was once, as the Portuguese travellers tell
us, a considerable town, but is now merely a small, though
strong, fortress, and it fonner’y served as a restraint upon the
power of the Zamorin ; bat this object has censed U» exist
since that prince has with Iiawn from the neighbourhood,
and the Com] any '» territories have been extended, particu-
larly during the 'late war The fort serves now ns an out-
post against the Rajah of Cranganoor. a very feeble poten-
tate. and yet more against tlie Rajah of 1’ore.vl. whose terri-
tories lie on the opposite ride of tlie river. It is iiImo of iiso
as a preventive station against the smug-ling trade, and the
transit of prohibited goods; as well as in levying certain tolls
for the Kant India Company The station of Paliput is in tho
sumo province ; it i» situated at tlie mouth of tlir river Cran-

C ioor. which Calls into the aca three miles from tho town of
same name, and takes its name from a ttromy quay which
was formerly garrisoned, but is now abandoned, as there is
no enemy to be feared in the neighbourhood ; and tho [daoo
is only tenanted by a corporal and a few black soldier* Like
other forts it is used as a preventive station

UTTERS nCOJ* MAI-VRAP

Chetwa u another fort shout 1 2 league* from Cochin, serv-
ing partly In protect commerce. and partly n* a dufenen
against tii<> Zamorin, whoso dominion* lie contiguous It
aland* st tin* month of tlic liver, ami. is at the present mo-
ment, the aU-oiigvat fortre*a in M.iUIiu Its erection 7 or H
years ago cost us a seven.- war which lasted auventl yeni*.
nn.l the history of which ia worth relating

The Hast India Company having resolved to build a new
fort* gnvo onleni to B Kctel, Uio Commandant of Mn labor, to
finish it os sposdily as possible. This alarmed the Zamorin,
who know it was intended to curb his power on thUcooat He
accordingly loft no means untried to iiu|>odo its nrogmsi ; nud
not succeeding by lair method*. he determined to try force.
The tort was now almost completed ; and he saw that the time
for his attempt was come. He trs* encouraged by learning
that the garrison, consisting of +h men. were lodged outside
the half finished fortrew, ami that none of the roouisite* hud
been provided for its defence. This shewed the greatest
want of foresight in tlio Commandant, who hod received in-
telligence of the intended attack, and ought therefore to havo
increased his garrison, to have made convenient places for
artillery, and ordered his men to keep within the walls, and
be on the alert. The Zamorin perceiving his advantage,
enwsed the river at night with 600 men, who were soon fol-
lowed by more : and all was effected so quietly, that about
k o’clock in the mornin" of Jan 22nd. 1713. they surprised
the soldiers who were sleeping in their huts before the fort
They took to flight in great alarm, and the Zamorin obtained
po**ession of tlve jilace witliout striking a blow. Near the fort
was a pagytrf of the Hast India Company built of pnhn trees,
the interstice* filled with earth and nibbiali so aa to moke a

• The loRuwtaf mM of UliUmmWi Ug.-.-. A I. % .n.I.-r

HiuniMoa, wk* ir.v.lW aa»w* U- Ea* 1*1-* Um J«n IMK ».►!

1723. - Th. D».wti -v»* UuU - 1 tb. *«t «f Cfcatwa, awd th. /aw fin *nt

- IKu urntoth. UU.«. U, I. I., Ilici.,

" ,ni.| !.» «uko *n ~|oftaoi»r «l •*« "Jlcfc. Hi* l>v

'• -I.- lit- 1 ll- Mrrwwii w o< it,- w-«k .*.■ UiiK Uh-w»*Ivm

" will* • mu i.t t.U~ rn 4 r.*d .*-«« I.UI a mil* loan «l»* f««-
-Tl-vlt.lW. ^ ot U-tr -J.lwr.r- abmrt. n.. l U*< .lUxul-M

" ..all... teak lb* .'M->ilaiu«j V. kill lb.- * ..u.rU, • .£•*! U< lb. AinU.-su e,
•• and Lit. ih. lull MM Ia.t Oudiw hrutraMf . ... alUmpUltg b> l-tak-

- it «M killed . th- -W. tUukiag It lm,wutb-J4. U. attuc-k Rir.Uw <ui«m

•• wllbln I has h. had witWt, rml.uk. I |« Oxh. . wllb I.t. n*. 1 waa for-

- lu.M U' l* at Omhn •t.-n hMtUiitm anirel. art b, a Court Martial

*’ lx- w.u am Uncut tn k* wldch wntmor I .. a.v««0. The Zuoi.nii

" flMMwl IK* k-.ll-h Hof b. b< boadwl. M tlw fort «M .Imtcojcd.'-TaaM.

f A p*rr< apfeaw *• W a mull fortife-l .iTI.fr «e bamlrt.

Lot* OF OlETWA. PAPOKETTI. ?7

breastwork to which the fugitives hastened announcing their
misfortune Endp Stock, who waa in command of the place,
received Uic tiding with consternation, and having but a very
weak garriioii, while the enemy ’a force waa continually in-
creasing. lie made no attempt to expel them. Kor this neg-
loct capital sentence waa pronounced against him by tho
Council of Justice sitting at Ceylon, Cod knows with what
right, and ho waa shot, only a fow weeks alter ho had been
olovutod to the rank of lieutenant When the tidings of thia
disaster reached Cochin, it caused a universal panic among
the Dutch, and gave rise to a spirit of indolence among tho
native*, who thought that we were ruined. Commandant
Kctel rwolved to inoreh out of the city with three companies,
which formed the greater portion of the garrison, leaving or-
ders that the artificers, wulore and scribes should man the
walla. He advanced rapidly, taking with him three pieces
of artillery, and two mortars, and listened to Chetwa Man-
ga tatyn, the Zamorin's general, stationed himself with hi*
tn*»]« to olmtruct hi* pamge, but ae .soon as they felt the
power of our cannons and musketry, they took to their heels ;
many were cut down, others drowned in the river, and others
took refuge in the fort at Chetwa, where their defeat caused
a great panic ; and there is no doubt that if tho Command-
ant had followed up his victory by attacking tlie fort, the
enemy would then have abandoned it in alarm. But instead
of this, ho marched with his troops into our neighbouring
pngger, and thus gave time to the enemy, who were totally
unprovided, to supply themselves with ncccs&arics by aid of
the English at LUicut, and to barricade tlie entrances to the
fort; proving themselves in this last measure wiser than our
people, who luid left tlie gateways unprovided with doors.
At length on thu 1st Keby. tlie Commandant resolved to hh-
ui nit t!i«’ place, and *-ule the walls ; but oh folly : when tho
troop* readied the walk they found Una they hod neglected
t.i bring *eiiling l.uldvi». and were oonie<|U«iiUy forced tore-
tire- foihil. with tha kw <>f 80 men. The Zainorin UK»k od-
vanUigo of this op|->rlunity, to build a fort called Pnpouetti,
between Chetwa ami Cranganoor. whidi bo fortified with
three trendies, and manned witli a troop of soldiers, among
whom were some Portuguese d**orter\ ami oven some Eng-
lid i officer*

Towunl* tin* end of 1715. three Captain* arrived from Ba-
tavia with a ivinfoiYvnunt; they attacked this building on
the 1 1 tli Jumuirv. 171ft ing partly t» wane mi.-umlei-

LETT US nOM K1UBAR

a landin'* among the officers, and partly to the faint-hearted-
now of Captain Plain, the aeoood in command, who trembled
at the sound of cannon, the attempt failed. For when the
besieged beheld our men advancing, they were ao terrified at
their number* that they rushed out of Ute fort on the oppo-
«iU> aide ; and thoae of our troops who were stationed there,
inintaking the cause of the sally, and imagining it wait an as-
sault upon themselves, were seized with a sudden panic, and
flod in disorder. The enemy, beholding this unexpected di-
version, mustered courage and returned to the forsaken for-
tran; and there is no doubt that had they understood how
to follow up their advantage, they might have completely
routed our army, by cutting oft their postage and obstruct-
ing their retreat, as there is no beaten road or path through
the forest which surrounds tl»e fort This fruition result of
the expedition created universal consternation, which was
increased by the rumour* which began to fly about, mostly
originating in an apprehension that the allied princes wero
about to desert us; the Rajah of Parve in particular, who, it
was reported, was about to attack the fort of Cranganoor.
Hearing this, the Commandant resolved to abandon our pag-
ger at Chetwa. in order that the garrison might not be cut
off, and to remove it in order to assist in strengthening Crait-
gHiioor.

Things remained in this state till the end of the year 1 71 G,
when William Bakker Jan.hz wm despatched from Batavia
as Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. He had served in his
youth a* Lieutenant in the Navy, and had never been engag-
ed in any other campaign. With him wen; associated Major
Huns Frederic Bcrkman, who was experienced in the mili-
tary affair* of Malabar, having passed many yean here ; and
Commander Johannes Hertcnherg. who waa to supersede
Hotel in tire management of mercantile affairs. ' They
brought with them a splendid army composed of Kuropoaux,
Javanese, Balinese and other*, to whom wore joined tho
troops of tho Ityah of Cochin, so that they wero well pro-
pared to carry on a campaign. Their first attempt was
upon the stronghold of Panonetti. When Uicy iwicIhmI tho
anchorage up the river called Caro, about a quarter of a
league distant from the enemy’* logger, the (ieneinl gnvo
not ice of hi* appnwich by discharging three pieces of aiti I lory.
This was answered by throe shots lrom tho enemy within
the fort, who meant by this to shew that they wore prepar-
ed to await the attack of the General and his army. The

PAPOXETTI TAKE* CHOTl RE-OCCUPIED.

latter advanced u soon os it vu morning, revolving to at-
tack the nagger on three point* at once ; which ra achiev-
ed with such good effect that before 10 o’clock the enemy
displayed a dog of truce. Owing either to the state of in-
toxication into which moat of the principal officer* (except
the Major) were plunged, or to some other cauae, no regard
wan paid to thii signal ; and aa our army had by thia time
made itself master of the two firat trench re. the enemy per-

inade ifsolf master of the two firat trench ce. the enemy per-
ceiving that their flag of truce was disregarded, retreated
within the third entrenchment, which was very strong, and
now well supplied with men. Here they defended themselves
with great courage, inflicting considerable loss uiwn our
troope ; and when at length they again hoisted the flag of
truce, it met with more attention, and a treaty was conclud-
ed by which they agreed to evacuate the fort with arms in
their hands. But an unfortunate accident occurred, caused,
it was said, by the Europeans who were within the fort.
The powder magazine was set on fire, that it might not fall
into the hands of our army, whilst the Zamorin's troops were
in the act of leaving the fort ; many were burnt, and several
others rushed so violently on our ladders in order to escape,
that some of our soldiers were pushed off and fell to tho
ground, which infuriated them so thet they struck at the hea-
then multitude with the butt ends of their lire -anus; and the
more the poor wretches attempted to defend themselves the
more violent they became, and they cut down such numbers,
that according to one reckoning three thousand of the enemy
were killed within and without the fort — others say one
thousand. The fort was afterwards destroyed, and complete-
ly razed to the ground. The bones of the dead remained for
many years in the surrounding fields, a memorial of this
great defeat.

The heathens received a great slmek by the result of this
battle. In order to follow it up. some of our vs— U were
sent to attack Chetwa by sea. On arriving there, no enemy
was to be found. At first it was supposed that they were in
concealment, and wo did not venture to approach too near,
lent they should fall upon u* ; but at length on receiving
certain intelligence that they had deserted the fort, our men
entered and found not a soul there. Our General afterward h
captured several Pagger*. Mapowvane, Towtamburi, Avn-
torti, and Ourganoor in the land of the Paliat ; and gained
» decisive victory over the Zamorin’s army near Ourganoor
The Balinese pikemen did him great sendee in tlii«* battle.

LETTERS FCOM MALA OAR.

mailing furiously on the foe, and terrifying them so much tliat
Uiey dreaded them more than the Euror>eana. m, men from
whom no quarter waa to be expected, if tlie Oenoral had
chosen to advance hia victorious hannrra, he oould no doubt
luivu made himself master of Uk> Zamorin’a Court al Ponany,
imd of Calicut itself ; but whether private reasons of his
own induced liun not to do this, and therefore not to con-
clude |h-iico tluU year (which be might have done on iul-
vnntogvous terms, and thus have spared tho Company cost-
ly preparations for the ensuing campaign \ or whether other
considerations weiglied with him. wc will not now pause to
enquire Nothing wm done in the rainy season, (which is
not adapted for carrying on warlike operations) : but at the
close of tho year, PatricoUi waa taken, and a noble pagodir of
the Pocnctoar Nam boor i was pillaged l«y the Balinese and
other coloured soldiers, although the General, for reasons of
his own. had issued a strict prohibition The Javanese sol-
diers. attr ac t e d by the booty, broke this prohibition, and
obtained a quantity of gold and silver articles and precious
atones, which the Europeans, not daring to disobey, could
not share. I have obtained many heathen idols from these
s|<oib which I keep as relics. Shortly after this followed the
peace concluded in 1717. eo that the reinforcements sent
from Batavia were not wanted.

In conclusion I shall add that thirty-six leagues to the north
in tlie kingdom of Colastri » Ur- fort of Cananore, which on
one side is washed by tlie sea, and consequently oould not bo
easily blockaded." ThU fort serves as a bulwark not only
against the power of the native monarch, but also against
the Moors, who have a prince there called Ali Rajiib. Tbo
latter has up to this time been a good friend of tlie Company,

• '• lit* ms «-*■ «>• “r-i I»K*|. »rrt.*

»' "lia » «•*!* •- l»>« of (Jnwu

O.ilutlrl, In III. Kii~i|.u. cmllnl C-lL.'c HR. cilv ....I BllUqililj. AO.I
ll..lM,y. l i iliiiin Lrbeg la ibe trel iIib <4 lb* tlrfton * * *

1 1|. of the kutploM of Cnaiw, ralW-1 *U> Colaaak. Hu In lit* l»-

IHimI* of 1 1* SO 1 . »IUduur«Mkr ll- mm I»m*. Tb® abut® air-
nmiiillitf itUtrirt. ahK-U ®ii*..U I..U.U lL* Mtk. m (or M Mount I«.IU, to
InUUU'.l I.V Uw »to* fi** iMtvfr ly |«n»cy. Mass ro>'l*e*

»i» timtfcmail Ir I'Iuit. Artiam. I’l.J.oij. a»l <rtbf* Ukxnt iu.Uk.i-. They
nniu UhuumI.®. W >.ll»t r-*t**. "to. ««to M tfc. A.o-10. nr»r

Urn, fto.1 oiptnra oil I ho anal »Bk»i ...I from t;.n Ui OxUlIL IT.®

h..l. Ill -hid. Ut-ir - .. .1 <1 cMBIn. h... at ...I oci U.® ®*-im. «W of Mount
Drily, nil monUm, -kWh l ow • <«J>® <• hr» ’ l.i.t, l« in III® tolH.nl*
..f IS* ? : m. 1 Lor UiUW or Matoj-U. pr>i-dy r, vUWO, urW- I'w to

AXAXORE. ANJEXGO TELLKII IIURV TIIK HA MX 31

transacting business with them, and sullying them with
cnnlaiimm* and lui-merie.

Ktuin all this history. vou can form a good idea of the
|wwcr mid means of the Hast India Company in Malabar.
Otlwr European nations have great poMwukmn here. The
Engliah liavo a fort railed Anjengo .• smith of Quilon ; it in
tolerably strong, as it lias need to be , for there arc many
enemies in the neighbourhood. and it has often Iwcn alUck-
od. In tlio north they have a C>rt called Tollicheny, bo-
tween Calicut and Cannnorv. whidi of late years they hnve
oonsidcrahly strengthened.

The poor Danes liave alao a residence in Malal<ar, called
Eddawa, resembling a miserable hut. ratiicr than the dwell-
ing* of a commercial officer. It is situated three leagues
south of Quilon. This nation has (alien quite into obscurity
in these pirts. from its want of money and influence ; so
that the natives last year (1722) refused them lodging, there ;
upon which their Superintendent repaired to Quilon to dwell
for a time under our protection, and in the sequel to Tran-
quebar a factory of theirs on the Coromandel Coast,

Here then you have a sketch of the European settlements
in Malabar, together with an account of the late war. I hoj*;
you will not take it amiss that I have related all the cir-
cumstance* without keeping back anything, and without
sparing the managers of the war ; for it seems to me that
the whole truth of such things should be related without
disguise, though this rule is but little regarded by historian*
of tue present age.

* ' Anjcegooc AnriMotp, » tvmptiom <4 the t»oTWI wool, inior U\ nLul
or &*• woo* ir"» wm Sec bu) j«n M KLgiuli IuUuj •»! . ( W . I
— U. «uj» II S m 4r«J«lo . 0.1 .k-otcsl TV- mill* of tlx

LETTER V-

Description ol Cuurv V iDgr* I s Om-m 4 U~ C-fsa. ol Om F«M|.m iu
Uim pwU.

The pleasure you have always taken in the study of his-
tory. and of its sister science geography, induces ine to givo

C ja ni> account of some countries lying to the north of Mn-
.bar, and in some measure belonging to it : as it contains
factories fortified in ancient times by the Company, which
are under the management of its officer, who boars the tillo
of Commandant of Malabar. Canara, and Vingorl*.

Canar.i is a kingdom adjoining Malabar on the north, aub-
jeet to an independent Prince, who is much more magnifi-
cent and powerful than those of Malabar; though the religion
of the inhabitants of the two countries is nearly identical.
The East India Company posaefis no jurisdiction whatever
in this place, and am only tolerated tliere as merchants,
driving a good business in spices, sugar. &e
. This kingdom produces many peculiar commodities, such
ns sandal wood, which is found there in great abundance, as
wdl as rice. We might adl it the granary of all Northern
India ; indeed tlie East India Company are often obliged to

f t rice from here for the consumption of Malabar and Ceylon.

ie Portuguese -end a fleet annually to occupy the seaport of
Canara. not only for tho purpose of supplying theinoolvoa
with rice for Goa and other parts of India, hut in order also
to prevent their enemies the Arabs from obtaining any pro-
visions tliere*.

Tho city of Canara, where tho Rajah hold- hit Court, lies
some league* inland, and is connected with tlw seaport by a
fine mail, planted with trees, which the inhabitants are
obliged to keep in excellent order. This road is sosceuro that
any stranger might go and sleep there with lags full of
money, and nobody would molest or rob him ; for, if -uch a
thing occurred, tho people in the ncighlourbood would W
not only severely punched, but would lie forced to make

VIXOO&IA JJCD UOA.

good the money to the owner. Indued the laws of tho Hin-
doos to prevent robbery are admirable. At Surat itself. a
city with so many thousand inhabitants, the merehandiro
liea out under open UmU. as safe aa if it were locked up in
oor storehouses.

Vingorla. lyirig =ome miles behind Ooa, was fomerly also a
factory of the East India Company, whore aconnitierablu trade
wna carried on, but they were lately forced to abandon it on ac-
count of the continue*! attacks of Jk- Mogul Govt i nor, tuid the
Mnraavn rehbora under Mara Rogia, a rebel who devastates
the empire of tlie Mogul with tire and sword. Tho Maho-
metan h have indeed, unco that time. proposed to restore this
place to the Company, but the offer has boon refused, the
more so as thu trade has been transferred to Surat

While I am occupied with this part of the country, I must
add some description of Ooa," *s it lies between Oannra and

• There is a leg*«*i that the «4d of O'* **« «t*r» hdiuod by a sudden
rash of tbo •«■». »n. I Out Its hour* m*y s»JI b- srvrt in calm matter brfow
Uta wun. The Uhmb| Kan ia allanoa te tins trajiliou nay fitly U is-
sorted in this plaoe.

isrtty. cW»*f and (res.
he shore ci the dark Wo* M.

-rr. sadness «f tfldel bo.,

nigb.

And *.Ivw u»l eo*>**« Mml,o* Uid
H - hi. »». that e*y in days <J iJJ !

F«. far abot. — th. rlort, *ky
w ter. tbs tuo A*, teight o’er the U
While the exes «l.vle sot lb. graorful p
llnng o’«r the •*!*’• so l—dy ud cahu.

Thus t*l ■HBifaerteos, by Ah,

Prink l.w tl.s dfm. 4 the •«« u,l Udo.

Hot. i»~. <**> that .p-t oIot the glad sun sbooo.

fl«». with IU unde sail pevph- n bai«,
lb. tbW 4 the -It •€* ««

by tha tfcW ri tW oil « •»»*
Y- ! Ibn bek— tb. nirgta* d.»
r air tin*’, ai ’

AIL all that .

Hri-sm* Iter. I
K.lll Ih MMid
H— i nil.lly o«» that laud .hor».

K*c h'in»*ii ft-nt avail*! U rim

TH. -Id son* bob* — tbr linrg
l‘-h»l rad. hall ant I

8-^rne th. bw and tho hi.

[Nnatk «L d~p «T. unb or -1 ttera I

II- * Oca i besnhou city foil •

And. n»«, Yi* said. ta. ndnight do ar,
"'bo the batmen n'a th-ne want* .'o-r

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

Vingorla. It is couriered by tl* Portuguese, as you know,
tlie capital of the Indies, and here a viceroy sent from Por-
tugal ha* his seat of government and holds his Court It in
sufficiently strung; on tlie *<a side and tlie moles are pro-
tectad by forta and dykes : but it has nearly fallen into de-
cay within. and is destitute of inliabrtanta. excepting the ®c-
clMfantkn. who have a convent haw, tlie artixans, and tlio
p.wr people. The upper clan** have retreated to the envi-
rons of the town on account of the insalubrity of the climate :
and tlie river hanks and isleta are adorned with flourishing
forma and plantations of cocoa and other fruit trees, on the

E rofita of which they subsist Tlie whole island of Goa is
irnished with such like farms, as is aim the case with Sal-
setta in the north, where the Jesuits play the master, and
othor places.

It would be considered a diagraoe by the Portuguem
hidalgos, to follow any trade, but tlie Jesuits look on
such employments as honorable, and tliov are in fact the
chief traders of these parts. Wo need be under no ap-
prehension that tlie Portuguese will cause any injury to our

C ) k«m. ( t )

c«»a asi> ns ni#u

3*.

commerce here, for Uiey are devoid of any know lodge of bn-
(.iiieaa. and what with their indigence and their fraudulent
conduct which ha* destroyed all confidence in them, they are
hold very low in public estimation throughout the Indiev
But they are ureal lover, of fine title. High office* and
general* are all the talk among them An office which with
u* would be filled by a mm. 1 1 tradesman. aunt need* require
a general with them. For each nhip of war, they have
a C'lpilnno <U M<irrt Qurrrt, and a levy of captain*,
lieutenants and ensigns beside* It would be a great
miotakc however to suppose that their pay is proportionate
to their title*. A captain receives lees than one of our *cr-
jeants, and the Resident of Panoor a s sured mo that he bad
onfy twenty golden /unan* or shilling* per moMh from tho
king, for his maintenance ; yet these gentlemen like 'to cut
a figure Not satisfied with having one umbrella carried
over his head, a man of high rank requires two nr three, or-
namented with hanging fringes and silver buttons. The
hearers must be Kaffre*. clothed in red coats, and those nie

Yet »-« swntrtd it •

A> or*. il *4*1 a tha it»y» Uiil *tt p-.bc.
And the Wight. 3 a iW, iM nurU. 0 «

A. it l W a lhM.m.4 jt.x Win...

— -rwl ml U..T I
Yet mi hnluU It* itialnnl . 1 ' in,
And. Jirtn On tha KKlMiiral U«iu>*.
All p«n^«od ptiile »♦!•» l»/

In Up .U , H *l», ;

V«i

TO* nUHd nlj U.U ■ Ikm I
B-< tfcoa. Inr Got 1 MifUi
hhsll iw (n«n ori It* tumivlU
I* *11 Ik} Uauty tarM d**f

No Wil.i* roc*, no lr*ib»*c . U««.
Thy *m pit Imiti to with h»e» owl,
Kor cml fM >

Thy nil [»wm .

Ih ra«mt Mil Ian*.

O., r—W *'■?.
Ult nut decay.

l*) B*.Wa

H I*

I.KTTkRS FRoU MAI.AIIAR

accompanied by other Kaffrea bearing long swords called
Etpintfiirdea, who act as bravoes for their master* For. iw
t ier incomes on bo alender and Uieir state no imposing,
tlmio .ignore often betake themselvm to schemes of plunder
and mtion ; and every year Uicy dre..»U)i an expedi-

tion agnm»t their IwrediUrv < neini« Urn A mbs. in tbo Iioiki
of obtaining booty, of which however in those .lays they do
not gain mfieh

There is no place in tho world when Uw is Ion retried
tluui hero. Scarcely any enquiry is instituted into cases of
niunJer, moreover the Kidalgos or noblemen cannot lie pun-
i-hed for crime in Uic Indie* but must be sent to Portugal
for trial ; and this is rarely dona Their vice and dissipa-
tion are excMwivo; they surrund themselves with truoirf of
BeyuUra or < lancing girls, n»w with Uwm in Uieir Ono-
baien on tWriveri, and spend their time with them in nil
sorts of amusement*. Tlicse Payaderes are. for Hindoo*,
very pretty. In their danoe* they move not tlieir feet alone,
but all tlieir l.mW 1 hey attire themselves very gaily, with
bracelets and golden ornaments, and exe ejae grxsit fascina-
tion over the pleasure-loving Portuguese.

The Portuguese Ladies arc not better conducted than their
liusl lands. Win n a man of any rank tr avels abroad. he does
not leave his wife at home, I ait take* care to shut her up in
a convent- Indeed Uic jealousy of the husbands goes ro f.ir
that they remark if any man speaks to their wives, mid not
Ulificquently <kutli is the penalty he incure.

Tim Viceroy Imre i» tho biglx-sl in command; ho remains
for three vents only, ulm Uic Portuguese aoveroign should
prolong the term He ha* two residences, one in tho city,
eajlo.1 the C’.iai Pulrtre, and tlie oUicr, where he common! y
sojourns, outside Uw wall*. He holds audience every morn,
ing . standing under a canopy: nnl tokos his meals alone.
Ills Court circle is con. id. i able ; and lie make, u gissl sum
nut of tlm pn wnts whi-li the inhabitant*. according U> cut-

nisi off r at Ida resiling nisi going. In tho intonvg-

niuitM between the d.jarturcof a viceroy and tlio airivul of
Ids successor. the Aidibishoit or Primate takes the reins of
Oorerniueiit, and tlwn Uw Clergy have Uicir turn in Uic up-
|»intmcnt to ollieoa,

Tho Kuelemaatica hero air inuumcrabki ; Hindoos nnd na-
tive* of Cniinrn as w.-ll a* Euioreau*— so that there are much
fewer soldier* than primU "llio nwon why so many na-
tives enter tlm |iriv«Ui»d. i- tlmt IIm \ may lsi -.jeirrel the

tbadk or THE ronrurifet:

insulin of the Portuguese. who treat all l.lack men on if they
were slaves.

The Portuguese inulc in Ui« Indio* is of little value. It
makm a great noise when two ships from the mother country
arrive together in the year at Ooa: and those come moro for
the purpose of providing the inhabitants with ncccxnaricii
than for commercial enterprise. Karli ha* on board more
than forty Ecdesiaatkw of various order* ToUcco i* charg-
ed with heavy im|>Mta. tl»e produce of whidi is luetigmd es-
pecially to the Queen for lier private purse. It ix iiovcrtlip-
I«ss an article of great consumption . being uot only used by
the Portuguese in all parts oi India, but exported also to
foreign nations in Europe, the Dutch taking no small share of it

The moat profitable trading voyage of the Portuguese is
that to Mozambique. Here they sell linen and other com-
modities, and purchase in exchange many slaves or Kaffir s,
whom they convey to Ooa, where they fetch a good prioe.
Tliey carry on commercial transactions with China likewise,
where they possess an island called Macao. The Macao mer-
chants. have for some years kept uj. a brisk intercourse with
Batavia, the Chinese junks haring kej>t aloof. But not more
than one or two ships visit Gro during the course of tlie
year, and these jxirt with most of their cargo, consisting
principally of Chinese luxuries, as silk*, ten, sweetmeats, ami
sugar, at Cochin and Ceylon Tliere is no nation in the
world bo fond of sweetmeats as the Portuguese. They
always hand them about on their mcial visits. But. for wine,
beer, and strong liquors in general they have no taste : in-
toxication is of rare occurrence among them. The Dutch oil
the contrary drink to such an extent m to cx|*»se themselves
to the reproached of tU Portuguese and the Natives, wlm
commonly call us HuUand*** Urhi-bm or Dutch drunkards
Tho English are liable to tlie same imputation : they an-
greatly attracted by tin- Pei>i.ui wines, and l.y Puneh. which
is made of the urwk of Go*. I must rvmaik, by tlie wav.
tluU though in England they talk a greet deal aliout Uie Pro-
tentant religion, tlie English in India allow tlicmsolvi-a to Ih>
very much mixed up witli membent -«f tJio BoinUh cominu-
nion, generally having their diildren baptised by tiio Priest*,
and marrying Roman Catholic wives

Having thus far extended ray account of tlie Eun»|xtins at
Malabar and the neighbouring places, which 1 trust vmi will
not find tedious,

I shall HOW eonrlude. ire.

LETTER VL

M.I.Ur >n «|W- xiUml to tke Dutch Kart ladi. Cuopasy-Ju im<
r i>rt » ■*“*'<•1-. torumbrut <* <■« C^lBUiduU -Kn.
ciniumt o4i JoH ilnMii Ur* .UalMiilxi of ike Koat India Company
-L*aJ»d f.UWi to lU.

A<t the welfare of our State and the prosperity of oonuncroo
have always concerned you deeply. I liave no donht that you
will peruke with pleasure the account of tlie Com pony's trade
in Mala liar, and the importance it has attained on this coast :
the methods of maintaining it. and its vast wealth, which
influence in a peculiar manner the welfare of our country.*
Malahar is considered hy tire East India Company as ail
expensive settlement, for the profits obtained on the goods
which are here sold arc far from defraying the expenses re-
quired for its support. You will easily unde rstand this, when

•»* farmed by the ara»lg»in».
btdy. Tli* rn.iiU'iii an"
• ait nitb OricuUl |»UH|-
to diamUnn. Fur many
“Owntr »nd power la the
it*, lad lor lU Iwttcr prutce
' , ■ » Blip port to their
to contact with thoir
of both nuiiix.. frequently
It m au« ull .if in many cm-
nniautood. I.. torn tkaii half a
I of JWO I'. Hujririe taaela, *n-l
*>« lb* .Wn.ll.. nf the iimri.
mi an dhlkaiHy m altarVliig and
to-tj of mil ilon *toir. ami *IM-

raa ™ 1

M lac brfw* |bn c
. *adlL U-OU Sort*

I aptowilj of Um Dutch
litJ 1*1 rn a fnUMol w

* la \*«i 'Mr I hitch
•ion of aer-ral dift--r«*

Inverted »ilh nutli. city to
Ute*, to Wild fort* and (Uno
ma tin* new G

Vj*t It* comiwrrtai rntrtioan am n
ilea the Comply ilyiArfa feet rt

i«dm» rti»to the

flictal

-•unify tb*r hid ulr
Ihni road- th-manhe*

Um- power of Ui* Tortngam. Um butch
oipturiu* tb-ir MUletucuU uu Uod. ui ito
munition which Ui«y nlwl m thnr *-••••!
tov.iiUjf. u the
both for UmomUtm uxl the ptuntU of
■o the mix In of the *mu pneewrtty of t
l«*t. «h- Upe. of a hundred and ftfty

cline .— inn to naany concurring <*»
and iviiw of the Uniiniwal tad
■* to whlrh they b
*'** » pny to internal facto*. or Ike
, and the K»rlMb aoon -. IT t ant'd a
lain itiolf rilh-r to Urvl .« wo. If f)

iRNOlly to tbrir

proi-ct* ftnrh
the Dutch hart India IWipnny
Com pony t-x»n to de-
. fr«a Ihe

. i,.ec.il*tton

and partially from Ike iomi
Srt.Vmm.1 afU. M tll.nmnt

p-we aihtoh »J* tinaU- to main

THE DL'Tl'H COMPANT IS MALABAR COCHIX. 39

you learn tliat a ship of 145 fuet in sufficient to provide tlic
settlement not only with mercliandizc. consist in*; chiefly of
•rraclc, sugar, spice*, tin. copper, Arc, but also with all tho
provision* rei|uuit* for a yea r. But, on Uie otlier hand, tho
maintenance of tlie eamaon. iU munition, and it* servant-,
wlto may he reckoned at present at 1.200 souls, costa a large
Mini of money; and if to this we add tl»e extraordinary ex-
IH'iises which have been incurred by tlie Company for eomo
yean* past, by tire erection of a new disjs-naary, rior-ware-
Tiouhc, hospital and powder magaainc. a new fort at Chetwa.
and a smith's sl*op. which are now almost completed -and
also the expenses they haw still before them in the establish-
ment of a new factory at Porcad. and the occupation of the
two forts of Omanore and Quilon— it is evident tliat their
outlay must far exceed their profits here, without mention-
ing their expensive ware, the last of which cost nearly two
millions.

You must not. however, conclude from this statement that
this settlement is a useless | Motion to the Company, and
tluit it were letter to abandon it ; for there are weighty rea-
sons for its retention The first is that we may remain mas-
ters of tlie (topper trade in Mala tar. for it Ls certain that if
the Company were to quit this place, tlie Portuguese would
endeavour to obtain possession of it. They already affect to
have claims upon it, and say arrogantly enough tliat “ tlio
Company are keeping it for their king. Still more would
the Kngiiah strive to get hold of it ; lor they have no com-
mercial station in all Malahar tliat can at all l«e compared
with this, lor abundance both of pepper and of otlier goods.

In tlie second place. Corhin is very useful as a provision-
ing station for vuauls sailing from Batavia to Mocha, or ro-
turning from Surat and Piooa to BaUvia. They win obtain
here not only very good water (fete lied from the river Mun-
gatti), but also abundance of victuals ut a cheap rate, such as
poultry, pig-, cattle, fish and fruit. For this reason Kun>-
| ican vessel* visiting the Indian coaatt always put in at
Cncliin for provision*

In the last place, wc may add tint Cochin serves as an
oiit^Kiat to protect tx-ylon against the attempts of otlier Xu-
rupenn nations, especially tlie Kuglish. whom wc have most
rouse to li ar ; for if they were mastere of this pUoe, tlicy
might use it as a rendezvous for Uicir lloeta. This they
could do even in the rainy season; for light vessels of less
than twelve feet might be brought over the sand l«ank into

LOTUS KIU.M MALAUAIL

tlie river, while the larger ones might lie securely in the
Muddy Bay, three leagues distant
Thun, you see tlie importance of this settlements which re-

S u ire* a man of ability to manage it with discretion; for
tough, like the (Company's other settle* merit* it is governed
by Ute Political Council, tlte chief responsibility rtsU with
the head of tliat assembly, wbo is the Commandant ; and it
behoves him to be very ready wilted when ho oonverses
witli the native Rajah*, who are most difficult to deni with.
For, if he hesitates, they deem it a sign of fear and confusion,
and immediately assume a contempt for him. The Com-
mandant must cultivate, also, a figurative and metaphorical
mode of expression, which, besides being considered a proof
of wisdom, enable* bun to throw a cloak over subjects which
are disagreeable to them, and to carry out measures which
they would not take so easily if they were expressed in plain
words.

Having made close observations on all the commercial
affaire of Malatar. my belief is that the following rules
should be observed in order to a successful management of
this country : —

I. The Commandant must effectually defend the king-
dom of Cochin against the future attacks of its enemies, to
which end the Company have declared themselves the Pro-
tector of tlmt kingdom. If this were not done, the Zamorin
would soon weaken the power of the Rajah of Cochin, and
would allow other nations to establish themselves in the ter-
ritories he might gain. It is therefore clearly for the Rajah’s
interest to keep on good terms with the East India Com-
pany.

II. The Commandant must especially endeavour to pre-
vent the Rajah of Cochin from making aggreroion* on the
Zamorin or other*, or provoking thciu to war ; which ho
would lie very ready to do. relying on tlio Company'* arm*,
and hoping by iltcir amUtanci: to regain some lands to which
he lays claim.

111. He must enquire narrowly into tho justice of the
claims the Rajahs make mutually on cadi otlier. os ho is
often called on to arbitrate between them. Thu is the more
nocemary as their claims are very obscure and are seldom
settled, so Hint they have continual pretext* for the ware
which perpetually arise between them. A wise Command-
ant will take care not to involve himself in these dispute*,
unless they immediately affect tlie interest* of the Company.

REQUISITE* IX A < OM1IASDAVT.

IV. Ho must l* thoroughly acquainted wiUi U.e lawa
and customs of the notivea. who cling very much to them,
making thorn a part of their religion. They carry the** feel-
ing* to such on extent that if a Commandant were unwit-
tingly to infringe their laws in pairing oentenoe. it would
arouse a general spirit of murmuring and diwotiafaction.

V. He must undertake no wars without great delibera-
tion. and with a goal prospect of Micron, an the Company
might otherwise be placed in great danger ; tho character of
the natives disposing them to grew inaolent and daring nt
the alight.st misfortune that happens to ua, and in sucli msus
their nuinhera swell like a snowball. An instance of this
occurred in 1 7 1 •»- 1 G, when w«- last Uie fort of Chetwa. on
which occaaion the native* broke out into all manner of ex-
travagance, using most insolent language ; their spirit wo*
quelled, however, in the following year by our arms.

The Commandant Johannes Hertenherg ha* extorted from
tin* Rajah of Cochin two stipulations which are very condu-
cive to the welfare and tranquillity of the Company. Tho
first is that all Uic Rajahs. Princes and Nobles of the king-
dom shall lay their complaints and disputes before him. so
that he Is constituted arbitrator between them ; by which
moans he become* acquainted with the grounds of their dif-
ferences. and is thus enabled to hinder many illegal enter-
prises of the Rajah of Cochin, which occasioned great annoy-
ance* to the former Commandants The second stipulation
is that tho Rajah shall undertake no hostilities against the
Zamorin or any other Prince without the previous know-
ledge ami consent of the Commandant ; without which agree-
ment he could frequently plunge u* into war merely to advance
hi* own intcrenl*. .

A* we are engaged on Uie subject of the administration,
it will 1** as well to describe how this settlement i* managed.
Tho Hast India Company having received by patent, from
tho State* General, supreme jurisdiction in their own settle-
ment*. thi* power i* vested in Uie chief place of each great
settlement, of which Malabar ia one. All Uie native Christian*
dwelling in the lowland* are under the authority of tho
Company. »nd neither the Rajah of Cochin nor any of liin
prince* (uivo the power of putting them to death or pun idl-
ing them ; if they did oo, satisfaction would be demanded.
The Jewish. Moorish, and Canareae inhabitant* are partly
under the authority, of the Rajah, and partly under that of
the Company.

I.KTTfcRa >R»M MAUHAK.

Crimes are punished liere. as they arc in Europe, by fines,
imprisonment, flogging. branding,' hanging and shooting.
Criminals are sometimes sent in c h ai n s to labour on the pub-
lic works, as there are no jails here. The assemblies, an in
the other Indian settlements, are either political, whore tho
Company’s ulfair. are discussed ; judicial, wIh-iv criminals
are tried and judgment passed in important causes , and
Civil, where dispute* of leas amount Uuui 100 rix dollars be-
tween tiie native townspeople are decided, and before which
the ceremony of betrotW Ukre plaue. Tliere are also on
Orphan chamber, whose business it is to take care of the pro-
perty of orphans, and the College of Aldcnnen, who havo
the superintendence of the streets, houses and canals.

In tlic Inst place, it will he as well to notice hero tho va-
rious landed properties which the Company possess in this
place, and the rents they receive. They consist of estates
and islands which the Company have acquired from time to
time either by gift or by treaty. 1 must premise that the
islands are situated not in the sea $mt in the riven, or else
are detaclied pieces of land washed over by the sea and
rivers. They are let on leases of ten or fifteen years, in order
by this length of possession t<r encourage the tenant* to
make new plantations, hoping in the interval to receive the
fruit* of them ; and the rente consequently rise at each new
lease. Indeed it is made a condition of the lease that the
tenant shall make plantations of cocoa-nut palms ; and a
person is appointed to number the trees in all the estates
every year, in order to ascertain how much the plantations
have increased. The islands contain not only ooooa (mIiiis.
but also arable fields and aalt-pana, for this country produocs
an abundance of salt, which is exported to other places. Tho
following is a list of these arable lands and fields, with tho
years in which they were acquired.

The lands of Edonrticn Paj.on. ui A D. ^iYbC*’

Muakkiteli inland, garden*, ami nnddc field ... I70M

Carden* in the island of Cndd. matn 1«H9

at ArkoUc 1712

Soltparus in tin- island of BollngaUi 1070

Arabic tie Ms and gardens in the island of St

Domingo 1718

— in the island of Foul *665

or Howcr’s Island. _

in the ujmd Ilha Perdido ... 166*

LANDED PROPERTIES OF THE COR PA NT.

♦3

Arabic field) in Cnizde MiUgrr. 1620

in the bland of Gua*»ini 1692

at Ant).. Cniinal 1 692

at (Welle 1 663

in th« bland of Bindveiti 1 663

at Aroe. 1683

Garden* and land* behind th© Company*

1663

Arable field* at Station Sami© 1687

• — at St I ago 1687

at St Lovy*. 1667

B©li.*or d© Konaeka. 1667

Mon<Uu belli 1681

Perpcranaerre 1690

• Mainconfe or Maddy Bay 1668

St Andre 1 663

■ Chcnnagvllain 1667

Hie lands .if Rajah Marta, railed Banlxuwe ... 1673

Cnlicatte or Mnixubal 1669

Kully Quilons strand 1717

The Ka.sC India Company has also bestowed on the IXa-
ixinr>* some garden* ami Linds in the bland of Vypeen. be-
hind the Canun.se bazaar, in order that the revenues thence
derived should be devoted to the use of the |«or.

LETTER VII.

Trada ol ikaBactUibakteUr.MdltedkMtenU^UVvnpniaaMJ.

YOD are doubtless aware tha\ the trade of the East India
Company, so famous throughout the world, one of the miin
stays of our country, and the resource of thousand* of poor
creatures who make their livelihood by the employment it
affords them, has been greedy undermined by the English ;
not so much by the English Company and their vessels, as
by the private traders, who are much more numerous, and
who besiege the Coasts of Bengal. Coromandel, Malabar and
Surat At Cochin we see at least thirty English vessels,
large and small, in the course of the year, which perform the
transit between the neighbouring regions, and put in here
chiefly for the sake of provisions- Three or four of the Eng-
lish Company’s shine nave also been here lately. It is cer-
tain that their trade in these places is less considerable than
that of the Dutch Company, who despatch three or four ves-
sels annually to Surat, on account ot the spices which aro
brought there in large quantities, and of which they mono-
polize the trade.

The character of the English is, as you are aware, proud
domineering, and sel fish, and. when combined with a dispo-
sition to cruelty, has been the cause of many rad event, in
India. For. iu* they always oppress Uie natives, the English
gain from tla'm little in return but lulred and curaes, and
the feeling thus engendered often results in deeds of violenoe
ami murder. There was an instance of this sumo year* ago
at Boucookn on the ooast of /Sumatra, where tho natives
wore so much irritated by the outrage* committed ui>on
them, that they at length resolved to destroy tho English
fort, s purpose which they accomplished with the slaughter
of every one they ooul.l lay hands on

Not long afterward* a similar occurrence took *plaoo at
Anjcngo. a fort belonging to the English in tho oountry of

TKAI>K OK THK ENGLISH IN MALABAR.

4 r,

Travancore, utiout sixteen utiles from Quilon. It is said to
have originated in some misconduct of the English on
Shrove Tuesday, in tlie year 1720. Tlteir interpreter, who
was a native Christian, and consequently a Homan Catholic,
was preparing for the approaching fast, as the members of
his church are wont to do. by an ebullition of unusual
license, and among other things he alily instigated some lads
to pelt, with eggs and filth, the Moors, always a peculiarly
sensitive race, together with some brathena who hap|iened to
ho passing by. The Moors, whose habit it is to go about
armed, instantly dapjed their hands on their weapons and
threatened not to leave this insult unavenged. The intorpre-
;cr upon this, quieted the tumult, and secretly infonnod tho
( <>m ummlant of wlist had taken place : and that offioer, in-
•tead of punishing the oppressors, caused tlie Moors to be
apprehended and imprisoned ; while the English remained
perfectly indifferent to the exasperation which this transac-
tion excited among tho rest of the Moors around them.

But another crime ensued, attended by more serious conse-
quences, arousing the anger o'f the whole nation. The En-
glish seized a heathen medicine master, called a I'urulyt,
who is always a Brahmin, and compelled him to shave the
beards of their slaves, which Is an act that Brahmins cannot
perform without losing caste. This insult to an order of men
no highly honoured, was deeply felt, and vengeance was re-
solved upon. V

Accordingly the natives proceeded to blockade the Eng-
lish fort all round on the land side. |»revenUng tliu ingress
of supplies in this direction. They could not however pre-
vent communication by wi. and as long as the fine weather’
lasted, the English obtained tlwir supplies by that means.
But from June till October the rainy season prevailed, and
navigation was rendered impossible by the violence of the
winds, and then, accordingly, they suffered from great scarci-
ty of provisions. At length after tho sea wn* again open,
and nine Englbdi vess e ls had made tlteir wav to the fort, in
February 1721. a pence was nominally concluded with tho
natives, who however reserved a secret intention of wreaking
dire vengeance on tlsrir fne» aa soon as a fitting opportunity
should occur. An occasion for tl»c execution of their design
presented it-*lf tliat rsune year. at tlie beginning of the
rainy season.

\\ ith tho view of conciliating the Queen of Attingnl, mo-
ther of the royal race. *hwc authority was great in that

I.ETTERS FROM MALABAR.

country , the English Comudut determined lo offer her
home splendid, nrvsents ; and lo nudce them the more accep-
table he brought them in person, accompanied by a numer-
ous retinue, leaving within the fort nono but toe nick and
intirm Hi* «acoit consisted altogether of HO |H>n*ona.
Troubled liy no misgivingH. they advanced with much j*omp,
with aouud of trumpet and drum*, to the Court of the Queen,
who gave them a m«.t friendly reception, and apwared to
derive extreme gratification from their arrival and the gift*
they brought, though for certain rwvwns ahe said "ho
must defer receiving the biter until the following day.
Meanwhile she pressed them to paaa the night at hor court.
a«<i the Commandant, utterly unau*|»idous of danger, asaent-
ed. Pretending that she was unable to accommodate • the
whole party in one place, the artful Princess assigned differ-
ent lodgings for them, an that they should be too much scat-
tered to assist each other in case of need. Then, in the course
of the night, the inhabitant* fell upon their unfortunate
guests and massacred them, and this so thoroughly, that not
a single European escaped, though, being armed, tbev made
an energetic resistance. Some coolies managed to get away,
and brought the dreadful intelligence to the fort

Great was tin- consternation there. The women, whoso
husbands were slain, in grief and terror got into a sloop, which
chanced to be at the spot, and fled to Coromandel. ThoBe
who remained in the tort, weak and unarmed as they wore,
exacted certain death. The next «by came however, and
no foe was wen anprmching ; so their courage began to ro-
v ivo : they shut the gate*, took some native Christians into
Uieir ranks, and as well aa thev could, put tliemsclve*' into
a state of defence ; and when shortly afterwards tlio lumtiln
natives did indeed come to the attack. tlioy were tv pulsed
without difficulty. l*ing alU^etlur without knowhslgo of
the art of siege Thus it ai.|*-.»n. that loth |MilicH made a
mistake : the Commamhnt in leaving the fort without a gai
tisoii, ami the natives in n..t immediately atUvkiug. when
they could havo mptuiW) it without a blow.

Since Ibis time, no limtilitim of any CMMCsmeiKV have
Uvn cxclinngrsl ; hut tin- ill feeling still -mouldeis on. and
there is a eoiiH iou-ne— ..f mutual di«tni»t It «.« generally
expected that the KngtUh would have taken diiv revenge for
tlie massacre Inst d< ncrihnl; Hit Uie event ha- proved other-
wise; nothing has l-een attempted by tlwi. ship* of war that
have lately arrive I. though lathing omld have liccn easin -

Tilt ENGLISH IN MALABAR *7

than to lay waste the country or inflict punishment of uomo
aort.

Tho shim in question— consisting of three English men of
war, and three frigates, fitted out aometliing like galleys with
oarw— were sent by the sovereign to sweep the aea of pirn tea
and of illicit traders, but up to this time they have perform-
ed little worthy of note. When the fleet arrived at Mada-
gascar with tho intent of extirpating the Euro|>eiui robbers,
who have a stronghold there and have been oxtremely mis-
chievous in tho Indies, all its efforts were frustrated ui con-
sequence of tlie favour shewn to the outlaws by the natives
of the island Nor lias the expedition been more successful
in other porta, as, for instance, against tlie pirates of Angria,
who constantly capture English v ewe la. These pirates occu-

E thc shores of Sevajee, a revolted subject of the Mogul in
; regions near Surat, and they maintain themselves by
robbery, which, owing to the barrenness of the land, Is their
only means of support They pomes* three forts, and a good
many vessels furnished with oar*, which hold several men
and pedercroa. They endeavour to suqiri.se and board other
vessels, and generally choose the night for their time of at-
tack. The English and Portuguese having been the greatest
sufferers from their depredations, formed a close alliance against
them, and the Portuguese even granted the English, in tlie
year 1721, a factory surmounted by their own flag, within
the city of Goa. The two fleets then set out, commanded
respectively bv the Portuguese Viceroy and the English Com-
mandant, with tlie intention of routing out. this pirate's nest :
but the scheme soon vanished in unoke, for while, ou tho
one hand, Sevajee came forward to render his assistance to tho
marauder, of Angria, on the other hand, the Portuguese en-
tered into a secret compact with them. -for a sum of money, and
just ns the fight was about to begin, treacherously deserted
the English, who accordingly were- compelkd to rc-emburk
ns quickly ns |.rwihle, not without tho lorn of aomo men.

•Since then, then ships have done nothing excejii to levy
contributions on English privateers under pretext of convey-
ing them, uud to such an extent, that they arc more dreaded
tlu.n oven tho pirates themselves. Tliey have committed all
kinds of malpractices in our roadsteads, forbidding all priva-
teers to seek shelter there under tlie Company's flag C'nptaiu
Brand wit of tlie Salisbury even went oo tar a* to attack two
foreign vessels, the one carrying the English, and the other
the Portuguese flag Otic managed to escape by means of a

I.CTTKKS FIOX MALAHAIt

rtmtnjjem hut the other n« compiled t-« pay money, liko
the Hngltith privateer*, in order to satisfy the mn&city of
tho Captain, who had thus shamefully perverted the order*
of hia uuuter.

Mere I conclude my account of English affaire, ic.

LETTER VUL

r»i\ i lh« r>y»l

muiwra of lUjak W w*U
» alioo. os lit
inaat >u Ka

<4 th. Kajaba OW-
ba gbamd by tba Dulrb Oorora

Not only is the whole of Malabar oocupied by a multipli-
city of kings and potentate*, a circumstance causing in itaelf
endless dissension, but these again are broadly ranged into
two parties, whose hatred is the more effectual, and probably
the more interminable seeing that it arises from the unfair
distinctions introduced by the original laws of this kingdom.

The adherents of the two parties are called the Pandela-
koers and the Chodderakoere : and just as Italy was former-
ly tom by the two rival factions of the Guelp and Ghibellincr,
and England distracted by the wars of the white and red
roaea, and the Netherlands had to shed tears of blood owing
to the ravage* of the Kaabeljaneos* and Flocks so has the
trumpet of war blown by the Pandelakoere and Cb odder*
koera often summoned the princes of Malabar to mutual hos-
tilities. Regarding the origin of these two parties, I find two
different accounts, which are not unworthy of record. Some
will liave it that the great CTiaramneroumal who partitioned
Malabar and made lawn for it which are still observed, insti-
tuted them f.»r two important reasons, the first of which was
to confirm the distribution of kingdoms that be had mado ;
ft*, 'wing about to undertake a journey, either to the Gauge*

lb. I tilt aed lSlb octilu

H. . do .Ml ud a«.UMI lb. -bob ii^aiWUoo <4 Holland aad Zealand 'll..

»ltbi. UirUqwa daMaua -u • <WuU Mm two maw at h
f..a, m W -MW lb. codiW l«l tW boob, or lb. book Uie codB.h f Tu.
■m nsdo lb« p.Uit lor a Wu quarr.1, sod Iba partwaaa oi the Iowa. ai«l
..I II.. koUm rtofd ibrnhw oa MU»r WU, Ike l«®rr. tbo fci.ka. -or. ml
• a l- ‘be Uurr. tb« KuMjiim ct*t coo. U Holla*) ...

by tb. Utnarr in Mr qaomt -tlb PbiKp «4 B.imjadr. .ml io lh-
I IW the .lUiKUoa ol Ibol Udka acre* a Coal bl.ar U, lb* Jl.-oMoo
Sor Hi dory o( XrtbrtUW. by T. CoUey 0f*tts*-{TB4SS.)

LETTERS FROM MALABAR

in fulfilment of a vow. or. m the Moore say. to visit Maho-
met in Arabia for the purnrwe of embracing his religion, he
divided among his favourites the whole of Malabar. Now.
he assigned the kingdom of the Zamorin to his illegitimate
children, who according to the law oould not inherit : and
it was natural to auppoae that this would can* umbrage to hi*
nephews who were the lawful heirs of the crown, and to
whom he had only given the kingdom of Cochin. They
would probably une every endeavour to recover their right*
when opportunity offered. For this reason he originated

those two parties, and he regulate! the number of prinoon,
noblemen. &c.. who should belong to each, with the express
command that if a king, prince or landowner should he at
L.. ... .f ii. . r. .a;., t t t « i • * •

tacked by one. of the opposite faction, he should be assisted
by all the members of his own party, under rain of loss of
privilege* The Zamorin king was appointed chief of the

PandeUkocr, and received a sword in token of his au-
thority : and the king of Cochin as chief of the Choddern-
koers received a shield. Cheramperoumal's second reason
for establishing these factions was to create a martial spirit :
lest, living in perpetual peace, the Malabar people should sink
into effeminacy and thus become a prey to the surrounding
nations.

There are a kind of sham com hat* still held in many king-
doms of Malabar, which probably owe their origin to this
institution. In these jousts or combats, many hundred, per-
haps a thousand, persons attack each other, armed with sword
and shield, and inflict mutual wounds, sometimes indeed
death, as happened at Kully Quilon when I was there last
October.

From this account of the rival tactions yon perceive that
the Zamorin is no emperor of Malabar, as the Portuguese
iiwd to tell us in their hooks, for he is no greater than thro.-

at IVtf % a • r* t • \ rrs a

other chief princen of Colastri. Cochin and Travaneorc, and
inferior in dignity, indeed, to the rajah of Cochin as being
of inferior race Nevertheless, the opinion has always held

« it a I • .1 c »* 1 A a

Ground that he is the most powerful and possesses the beet
army of them all.

But to return from this digrewuon. I said before that
there are two traditions regarding these |mrli<v The other
tradition is that tliere were formerly two families, possessor*
*«f two pagndan The name of the one was Pmuirl, that of
the other Chod,hr ; and tlio former Wing the strongest and
most powerful, attacked the latter and plundered them, uii

DISSENSIONS BETWEEN T1IK RAJAIIH.

til the Cliodrlare implored help from tlic prince of Walwo-
natti in onkr to revenge themselves on the Pkndoli, These
now being unable to withstand their enemies alone, conspir-
od with the Zamorin against them : and tliu* drove them to
apply in their turn to the king of Cochin, who consequently
la-camc the head of the Choddar party, while tl»o Zamorin
assumed the clu»racter of |irotoc*nr of that of tlio Candida.
Each of those monarch* entreed others to espouse their causes,
and tho dimensions thus originating have dweended to pos-
terity.

Most serious consequences have arisen from these divisions,
in the Hist place, it wo* inculcated by law upon tlio princi-
|*l States (Stendcn) of each of theao kingdoms that they
must always esnouw the faction of the supreme Rajah : Co-
chin has four of those States, which arc called the pillars of
the kingdom. They are Porcad and Paroc, the rajahs of
which belong to the spiritual order, and Berkenkoor and
Mnngatti, having tem|»ofal rajahs. Though there arc otlior
princes in the kingdom of Cochin even more powerful than
some of these Stendcn. yet theae are bound as Chodderakoern
to assist the Cochin monarch in his ware against the Zamo-
rin, and in return have a voice in the election of a new
prince to the succession of the Cochin throne.

Secondly, to this division may be attributed the continual
warfare which exists between the kingdoms of the Zamorin
and Cochin. No firm or lasting peace is ever made, but
merely, so to speak, a cessation of hostilities, invariably fol-
lowed by a renewal of war. The irreconcileablc hatred aris-
ing from the violence of those party feelings, was rendered
more invuterate by the murderous deed of a Zamorin princu
of byguno times, who caused three Cochin Princes U> l« kill-
ed. Animosity waa exasperated by this to such an extent
that even to this day members of the rival factions will never
meet voluntarily or speak to each oilier. A reconciliation
will never lie effected until the law of retaliation lie satis fl-
ed, which, according l«> their customs, demands the death of
an equal inimlicr of princes of tho munlcrcr a family.

You have read in tin- PnrtOgSMO narratives of their voy-
ngw published by Vandrr A a., (vxminls no doubt contain-
ing many Hction* and exaggerations. alter tin- wont of these
masters of the sen as llicy style themselves) how when re-
jected hv the Zamorin they were received with open arms
by the a i» h of Cochin : ami now yon ran underKt.'ind his
motive for the kind rv«r|<li**n h- gave them ; h<- h-pid with

LETTERS H:oM MALAI1AR

Uieir MjUU'ico to accomplish bn revenge upon hi. enemy,
which he hod not sufficient strength to do unaided, and he
immediately plunged ,nto bortilitic*.

Ihe hart India Company Who ntablUlicd U.emaelvc* an
protectors of Uie kingdom of Cochin, were consequently also
involved in then interminable ware.

It i* the duty of a win and pni.ient Commandant to tako
care tlSatthe Hjjah of Cochin is not the which,

influenced by the noted hatred he bean, his enemy, ho is al-
ways ready to be. in the hope- of being able, agisted by Urn
Company n arm*, to acquire from the Zamorin certain terri-
b.n« to which he lay* claim. Had this rule always l^en
observed, tlie Company might have been spared many of tbo
expensive wars they have been engaged in. and of which
.7 hlu ‘ w, f experience during Uie reign of Uie late Rajah.
n,w Rajali was a man of average height, chirk and ugly,
lor which reason hewas commonly called by the towns peo-
ple. the charcoal burner ; he re crafty and designing, and
was m the habit of clandestinely injuring other princes in
order to provoke them to hostilities against each other.

He delighted in ware, Uiough wiU. h« own soldier* be did
but little execution, and laid the chief burden of prosecuting
it upon the Company. His private interests occupied all his
thoughts; he paidhissoldiereso badly that they weresomctiiw*
forced when garrisoning a place to make a sortie to provide
themselves with food. This was the case at Kunemakke.
His extortions were unrivalled : he was always devising
fresh means of levying funds, *» that from Iming one of tho
poorest he became tbo richest of the Cochin rajahs. Confid-
ing m no one, he would shut up his money in tin. pagoda,
or bury it under ground^ or »mr it about w ith him in l->xcs.
He condescended to traffic m the commonest commodities :
thus, lie sold to his court rice ami coooa-nut shells both burnt
and raw ; and by keeping the monopoly of these things in
his own hands he enhanced tin* price of them. He lived on
, wiu ' OomanmuJuit llcrtcnbcre. who did not

relish his rogueries and refused to oo-opemte in his artful and
underhand practice*. He died after a long and painful ill-
ness. It is raid that on his death-bed ho enjoined his

successor to live on good term* with the Coimsinv. though
he had neglected to do $o himself Utterly. Until carried
him oft on the 9 tli October of last year (1732) ; lie had reign-
ed .'0 year*, and had nearly attained the 70th year of his
age. He was little known by |,U own name. Wierlam,

ftrCCUOOK OP THE RAJAH*

among his subject* ; for tlicir cuso.in is never lo call tho Ra-
jahs by their names bat by their titles, as the Rajah of Co-
chin. Oonganoor and so forth. The individuals in tho lino
of succession are not named after the propertieo of
which they are aometimee the owner*, but aocoiding to tho
order in which they stand with respect to the auooouion ;
as the find prince (that ia the ratah) the seoond. third,
fourth. 4c. The private territorial lords (landsherenl or

which tney ore aometimee the os
order in which they stand with
a* tho first prince (that u the
fourth, ic. Tho private temto

fourth, ic. Tho private territorial lords (landshorcn) or
BTandoes aro called after their rotates, dignitiea. or offioos, aa
Raima!, Ragiodoor. 4c. The Rajah does not put his muno
m a signature to his kttcre (which are called Olas) but a
mark, each kingdom having it* own peculiar mark which
never vorica ; so that on merely seeing these letters one can
tell at once from wliat kingdom or monarch they come,
though the rajah's name does not spposr.

The successor to the late rajah was. up to the time of hi*
accession to the throne, the second prince, and thus by hi*
elevation all the others below him attained a step in the or-
der of succession ; and to keep the number full, a now
prince, chosen from the legitimate royal family was incorpo-
rated among them. From this constitution it is apparent
that a prince seldom attains the throne in his youth, unless
in case of some extraordinary mortality All who are above
him sometimes seven or eight, must precede him. before he
can hope to enjoy the crown.

These princes either live on tlicir own estates or on income*
allowed them by the Rajah. As the** arc but small, they
often live in a very impoverished condition, and are for atato
reasons excluded generally by the Rajahs from tho adminis-
tration of affairs. The pres, nt Rajah i* a man of little or no
judgment, and was deopised by hta pred.vemor. His whole
bearing and conduct betoken hi* inferiority ; he is ratio and
unpolished, extravagant in his conversation, imaoluto in
counsel, and violent in behaviour : not only do liia courtiers
and grandees ceteum him but lightly, tlw Company to., hnvo
hUle I tope of getting any good out of him ; and pci Imps they
Wvo as little reason to fear mischief, as ho has not senso
enough to injure them in any underhand manner. Yet they
had better keep on good terms with him. in oreler to detach
him from uniting against them with thorn who bear them no
good will, of whom the most to Be dreaded is tho Rabat with
hw family. Ho is the General in Chief of the kingdom nt
this tune. Hitherto this dignity lias belonged to Another
family. Ih- vast estates, and his excellent nnny combine to

LbTTKICi FROM MALA DA I!

make liim a dangerous neighbour, even to hi* sovereign, in the
island of Vypevu. where he reside* and a great portion of
which belongs to him. HU enterprising spirit was manifest-
ed four year* ago, when he had the effrontery to slay a
wealthy and influential Guiaraao called Mali*, ana of the
Company’s merchant*. and to boast of the deed : and, us the
Coni|>any, probably fearing more serious consequences, let
the crime go unpunished, his arrogance increase*. Time will
shew how far hia turbulent spirit will carry him ; at pre-
sent. he is occupied with endeavours to foment angry fool-
ing* against the Rajah and the Comimny.

I must return to the accounts of the Rajahs, and the cus-
toms observed at their deaths and accessions. On his death -
lied a Raj all presents 200 or .TOO cows to Uie Brahmins, and
other gifts : nc also distributes among his relations, money,

e wcla, Sic. for all that he dies pomcstaxl of devolves on
s successor. At his decease, the grandees assemble and
prepare all the necessaries for the burning of his remains,
which ceremony must take place within 36 hours, and is
performed, as is the custom among the Brahmins, with but
little pomp. Money and other alms are distributed in the
interval ; and the Ohs are made out, which are circulated
to notify the Rajah’s decease. It is not a matter of indiffer-
ence to the Rajahs at what place they expire : when they
find themselves dangerously ill they retire to certain spot*
which are especially sanctified for the purpose. These arc
Trichore f where the late Rajah died) Rankanoer and Tri-
puntorah ’The first twelve days are the days of great
mourning. When all the subjects manifest their grief by tear-

ing their hair and letting their beards grow ; no business
may be transacted, not even buying and selling provisions,
throughout the country. For the first three days the suc-
cessor is bound to furnish food for all the Brahmin* present,
anil to give them money : this is n*| anted on the tOth day,
and again at the expiration of three months. Ho wuurs
mourning for a whole year, and during that |icrind must
submit to certain restrictions, such aa not being allowed to
shave his beard, chew betel, cat more than onoo a day, sloop
on anything but a mat, fcc. Neither may ho on tor any of
the Company’s factories or forts, or any other unholy place
where cows are killed or eaten, so that the Commandant is
obliged to wait u|»n him. at his Court or elsewhere if ho
wish to sec him. After the Hist twelve days are ended,
his principal subjects mud |*y their court t" liim occasion-

Fl'SERAL CEREMONIES INSTALLATION OF THE RAJAHS .1.1 1

ally and offer him present* First oomea the head of the
fishermen, who, after making hia obeisance, lay* before him h
golden fish, a silver net, and an earthen dish containing nand
and salt On the anniversary of hia predeoeeaor’e death, the
Rajah gives a great feast to hia court, for which preparation"
are made on a grand acale. I have been aaaured tlint some-
time* aa many aa 14,000 or 15,000 of the venerated caste
Hock to thcae banquets, and thcae must be all regaled for
three day* with ric*. butter, -ugar. milk, pioaang, Lc, which,
not Wing much used to auch good cheer, they devour with
voracity, and, besides furnishing all this, the host ia bound
to give all hi* guesta money according to their rank, an that
the .amount of money spent at these ceremonies, ia enough
to maintain them for years if they are not rich. Pi mil* r
foasta. but attended with lew pomp, are given in pe nury of
the Queen mother and the Pnnccs of the kingdom

The people of high caste also celebrate the memory of their
deceased parents, wives, 4:c. Tl«ey give a banquet on the
first anniversary, and in the following anniversaries they
double each time the triple oonl they wear as the badge of
their rank ; so that they who, in the beginning of the year,
wear one triple cord, in the sequel wear three or four
of them ; — which mode of wearing the cords is peculiar to the
Brahmins. Chettia and Vayns.

On the birth of a royal child in the line of succession, he
is laid on earth brought from Wanneve, near Balianeotte.
whence the royal family sprang, in the regal house of Chetrin
(Jouron.

The Ohettriahs in ancient times came lie re from the coun-
try of Hindustan in the North. There they might have law-
ful wives, but here they are not permitted to have them

I must add a few remarks on the finances of.the Rajah of
Cochin. Some time ago the authorities in Batavia thought
good to give him a grant of the Alfandigoa, pepper customs,
ami 500 k audio of pepper, together with other privilege*.
Their object was so to enrich him, ns to enable him to make
head against tin- Znmorin. This policy teems to me nuga-
tory, IweauHt in the tirat placo their avaricioua disposition*
induce* these Rajah* to a|>pr»|>riatc all that they can get to
their private use ; we saw a speewumof thia in the late Ra-
jah, who from the poorest heauneeswof the wealthie-t of his
race, whilst no one ever [«id his troop* so poorly, and hi*
army was consequently in a wretched condition . and aa hi*
wealth increased hi* spite and enmity towards the Compo n\

LETTERS FROM MALAIUB

augment.* L In the second place, a Rajah U generally iionr
mi hi* ncom*inii to tlie throne, tliough lie is lieir to all till*
property and wealth tluit hi* |»rc*leoi-*eor died pr*wt«e<l of, for
they generally distribute Irfim tlieir death nil the wi-nltli
they nave amawol together. con touting pmiripilly of jewel*
mill money, among their nearest relative* (excluding tlic next
lioir.) Tim* the Lie anvervign made hi* nephew the thinl
pi moo hi* heir in tlicno thing*. an that he can nttiml to laugh at
the now king who in poor : and *o the kingdom ia no gainer
hy tlie wealth of the king.

Add to tin*. thirdly, tl>c dread of the Zamorin'ii arms which
In* taken deep root in the heart* of the remaining prince*.
I believe it would have been licttcr had the Kant India Com-
pany from the beginning reserved for thenuclvc* all that they
nave conquered from tl»c Zam»rin. and therewith made n
fund to defray the expense* of tin* succeeding wnn.

LETT Bit IX.

Amount of tbc ruj.il bun of M il»W, TrxiH«« C-cldo. iho Zauturin. ti.l
Ciwrt nUimanb uUb| Um Umv>

Ik « previous letter. I li»vc explained the lows of nuocwa-
aioh which obtain in Malabar, from which you liavo gather-
ed thnt tlie supreme authority never root* with females.*
their Uws in thin rcapcct rcrcmbling those of Francr. Great
honour indeed » |«id to tlic prince****. ample |K>Me*iiomi
set apart for them, and they are provided with a retinue of
Naira And, oh in owe of a failure of heirs to the crown, the
Rnjah may not adopt ft successor without the consent of the
princesses, it has sometimes happened that by refusing this,
they have for n time lield the reins of Government An in-
stance of this occurred in the family of Signati, in which a
Ranee reigned for several y tan. tliis, pro]M-rly speaking, was
but an interregnum. In some cases, again, the princesses ami
the other tributary Rajahs cannot agree as to whom they
shall admit into the royal family.

There an? four j>riucii»*l roya! houses in Malabar, those of
Tmvancorv. Cochin, the Zamorin. and Colastri. In order to
get a clear idea of the condition of MabiJiar. we must ex-
amine these in detail : for whidi purpose we must bear in
mind, the following rule*

First That these four royal houses consist of prinorawes.
whose nous arc in tlic line of succession to the throne.

Second Tliat the eldest princess bean the title of queen
mother, though it may happen that her son is not the reign-
ing Rajah.

l'liiixl. That the minor kingdom* «ro called by tl»o name*
of these families

BI otpoljMrfrr pr.TU U ^ lb* Air

«hU l> (km of krirlocs U> lb. llaWM. or

«J. Ik. <b». ut U url, M (hr fciosW Hu. __ __

lb. bo. 4m ry tou> M.UUr. V.J

• Thr
tatUi

«n. m h r»

i~*. »•>* n n owin*

- lo pr|nr

'• ""I Ui.-

“ ‘ *• V

,TH I.KTTTRS THOM MAI.Atl.4R.

Fourth. That tin- first or superior Rajah being a descend-
ant of the oldest princes*. is designated by tlie name of the
kingdom t» whicli he belong*, though but a portion of it
may be under hi* rule. The younger Rajahs. descended
from the younger sister*. Iimd tlnir family name. Tliey are
Itound to obey the first, who i* style*! tho Molpatl or head.

The first of theao kingdoms is Travanoore in Uiu south,
which stretches along the sen coasT from Cap© Comorin to
Porcad. Attingal. Signal! . Perikdli. Kllida Sent van. Marta.
Kully Quilon, Tirkenapolie. and Pana|K>lio are comprehend-
ed in this king* lorn

Attingal is tho name of tl»c maternal house of tlie Rajah
of Travancore, who rule* over the country lying between
Tongepatnnm nnd Pan*w. three leagues south of the fortress
of Quilon. Madura, which used to Is* comprehended in his
territory, has Iwcn lately severed from it. In all Malabar
there is no oueen mother who poetesses so much influence
in public affairs :»* here, Then© Travancore Rajahs would
willingly liavc entered into alliance with tho East India
Com|Mtiy, only tliey would never consent to pledge them-
selves to [«rt witii all their pepper to them alone ; know-
ing that they could obtain a higher price for the article
elsewhere : the Italics at Kdilawaand the English at Anjcngo
at the present day buy it nt the rate of l.*» or lti ducats per
kandy, while tin* East India Company give only 12 ducats.

Signati i» tlie name of tlie second family, descended from
a younger sister of Travancore. Its territory extends from
Paroor (where the East India Com|nnv have a station, es-
tablished for the dc*|«ttdi of letters, and also as an out|>ost
to watch over the soldiers at Quilon. lest they should at-
tempt to desert to tlie English at Anjcngo) to Cooniaragom
Politooi.

This kingdom in sub-divided int*» time portions, tho first
Iwlonging to tl»c Rajah, who tlierefoi «< bear* the name of Sig*
nnti ; tli** m'COImI to ilk- I’ock- Rarriatte ; the thin! to tho
lioeryp ofTmvaiicnrv. This division origins toil with three
Otvhdresso*, -i*u*i* .4’ the Ih.iiv of Signati The present Ra-
jah of Signati is overbi-nring and haughty. The East India
Company with ditficulty keep on good terms witii him, and
his share in tho |»opper contract is |«ifnrmod witii no good
will. Tho fort of Quilon is situated within his tcrritoricA
and serves in some measure as a chock upon his insolence.
The country i* for tin* nnat psrt high and rocky, and though
in one direction watered bv stream*, it is loo elevated lor

THE ItOl'Al. HoUMS OK MALABAR.

the cultivation ofriwor ]*ddv. I.ut it is well wooded, and

a quantities of am* nuts are dried there and forwarded
e Coast. It ia alao fatuous for ita palm wine or Quilou
•Track, which supplies this neigh bourhoud abundantly.

The Rajah of Pcriulli. sprung from the third kuter of At-

me najan ot remain. sprung from the tiurd kuter of At-
tingal, governs the district l>etween Quilon and the moun-
tains. Kully Quilon is at the |*variil time united to his
country by adoption. It poisoaea no *co roast

Ellidnscniwnn. situated between Madura und Travancore,
belongs to the progeny of a younger sinter of Travancore.

Marta or Cumaganuli. lying lietwcrn the river of Quilon
or Arooveekuray and the village of Allanan along tlie shore,
is subject to the Rajah of Kully Quilon. its borders cncroadi-
ing’with irregular outline on his kingdom and on that of
Siguati.

Kully Quilon stretches along the Coast:"* portion run-
ning inland between Quilon and Porcad. . It contains a good
bazaar or market place, where all kinds of wares are sold.
The East India Company have a factory- in the interior. . At
the moutli ot the river there is a preventive station.

Tercuuapalli Rajah is a |uu-erful monarch of great autho-
rity ; a small portion of his territory borders on Kully Qui-
lon und Porcad. and it stretches inland to Bittimeni. ’

Pauupoli lies in the interior behind Kully Quilon. and ita
family having died out, it has devolved by adoption on tlie
Rajah of that place. This forms the extremity of the king-
dom of Travancore. between which and that of Cochin ia an-
other kingdom, indt-ia-odcnt of them both

This ia called Tekkenknor. and lies beyond tlie lake called
the Brood River. The Rajah |«wMnse« n beautiful territory,
superior to any oilier 1 haw yet seen in Malabar. The level
port ia low. and planted willi rice ; in the vicinity of the
mountains the land ia elevate,!, and produces [»pper, carda-
mum. and wax in great abundance This country is also
very |opulous. and pu*cic«* good road* and a fresh and plea-
sant climate. Hie Bishop Mar. Gabriel reside* in it, his
church und dwelling being situated on a bill, along the foot
of which runs a river. The Rajah lives on the other side of
the river in the plain, having a neat palace, according to the
native fashion, lie ia very courteous ; and as soon ns ho
heard from the Bishop of my arrival he came with ull haste
from hi* country house at live miles distance to visit me,
aud prvfluutcd me with two golden bracelets.

Tlie second great royal house of Malabar is tlint of Cochin.

LITTERS FROM MM.AIlAK

which is to u* the moat noticeable. botli because the capital
of the East Imlin Company, Cochin, is utimtod in it, and
also because the Comimuy luu. made a very chaw alliance
with it, styling iti*elf tl»e protector of tlio kingdom of Cochin.
A » a nuwk of this, the Rajah wear, in hi* crown tlio Arm* of
the Coui]«ny. Tlie hereditar v lirineus of Cochin consisted
formerly of five families which have been reduced by death
t«* three, those of Paliat, Montata Vide, and Shnlour ; these
were continually quarrelling for Um supremo authority, till
tho Portuguese mixed in the buaiitesa, when tire dispute
bunt into an open war. MonUU View withdrew into the
North, and brought all the princes of that jmrt over to Ilia
aide ; whilst Paliat ami .Shafour w en? aided by those of the
South. At length the Rajah of Paliat, the but of his mo-
thers family, died , when tlie Portuguese worked upon the.
queen mother to adopt a stranger of the family of Bettuttc
and Aivocr, good friends of their*. This fiuinly 1 femme so
powerful by the help of Uie Portuguese, that when tlio Ra-
jah. of the house of Sludour died, the crown fell into tho
hands of four boh! princes, adopted **>ns of the house of Bet-
tettc. who compelled the princes of Shnlour to take to flight,
and join those of the house of Montata Vicsc. Their united
forces could however find no means of recovering the king-
dom and succession ; |*utly on account of the power of the
Portuguese, and partly because the Naira and land owners
were favourable to the princes of Bettettc. At length they
repaired to their great enemy tin- Zamorin, who took ad-
vantage <>f the opportunity to conclude a secret treaty both
with thorn mid with tlie Rajalu. of Northern Cochin, in
which it was agreed that the house of MonUU Vicsc should
he reinstated in puawwuon of the crown ; under promise that
the latter should make compensation to tlio Zamorin for all
the expanses he might incur during tho war. and should
I oft vo ill his hands, till this *ti|mlati«ii should l«c fulfilled, all
the lun.U and strong places (key might b*gi*thci compier.
(I (ton this, the Ziuiiorin was immediately nseeived by the
lords of N ardu vclumaad. Moiiodeiiaadc, Billenstemuidc. and
Monnca SuU Pamb«s>ry. as Protector of their lawful sove-
reign. Affair* were in this state when Malnl or was conquer,
cd by tlie lust India Company ; who. having deputed tlio
Kajali of the house of Bettettc. their enemy, restored that of
MonUU Viese to their lawful inheritance of the kingdom ol
Cochin. Meanwhile a dispute aiwc between the Zamorin
and the Rajah of Cochin, tlie latter demanding the rretoift-

COCHUL

(il

tioo of all the lands belonging to hi* kingdom of which llio
former *w in poatomion ; whilst the Zamorin maintained
that by the condition- of Uio treaty he was not bound to
oomply until ho had been repaid for all the expense* of the
war. Thin dispute lasted till a war broke out between thu
East India Company and the Zamorin, in which the Rajah
of Cochin also became involved ; when with the aid of tho
Company's anna, Cranganoor being oonquorod. ho recovered
a great portion of the lands which tho Zamorin had a.-i»<d
from him. Some oilier places in tlie Cochin territory still
remained under the power of the Zamorin. but them in suc-
ceeding wars havo from time to time been wrested from him.
This is tlie foundation of the reciprocal claims of tho Zamo-
rin and tho Cochin Rajah on each other, which lutvc conti-
nually kindled ware between them.

These events show the dangers of adopting a son among
tlie princes of a strange family ; for this is often the cause
of desperate ware, the weaker party seeking aud finding as-
sistance from the stronger. It is also to be apprehended, if
a powerful | tri lice of another family is adopted into that of
Cochin, that tlie Rajah of that country willWome too pow-
fill for the East India Com|>any, and that thus the title of
Protector, which it now bears, would be an empty one ; and
more than this, if that Rajah should ever become superior in
power to the Zamorin. instead of being, as he now is, inferi-
or, he might lose his respect for our arms, and oven go to
war with us.

The territories of the Rajah of Cochin are of considerable
extent ; to him appertain tlie island of Cochin, and a great
portion of the higher country. but it is all so much broken
up and divided tlial il is iui|-*oible to determine accumtely
the Itoundaric* of his kingdom. To him have devolved

Mouton, bounded by Poraul on tlie south, and on the north
by the five liirddiip of Rabat ; to it belong ulsonome districts
«.n the other side of tlie great river. Mouton ban fallen into
>he |N.Hsemi<in of the family of Cochin through adoption.

Cocronnad, » territory of greet extent which lias devolved
•i|miii Cochin, extending along the mountain chain to Uio
district of the seven Oumals. and terminating on tho river
Uuik opposite to Cochin, called in tlie country by tlie nsmo
*'f Antjecainmls. Two market days are bold there weekly,
wIhui the Cnnarem and Jews purchase provisions for them-
selves and fi)r the inhabitants both within and without tho
city, consisting of butter, rice, fruit, salt, Lc.

urruu kiwm mala hah.

Vypceii. an island juat opposite tl»e city, bounded on ono
*hle by the w». on tlie oilier by tlie river, where moat of the
Topnaaca live and have tlieir |»rincipal church. Thin island
afford* a pleasant |m«*pecl U» the city, bailiff well planted
with cocMUiut Uvi«; it mu* up an tar a* Aicotte, and is
about ♦ leagues iii length. The deaounry has some pro|»erty
on thin island, and another portion belong* to the Rajali ;
but the greater part in tl>r poamdon of Uie Paliat. who in
considered the lord of the island.

C’rangiuioor, a small kinplom belonging to tlie Rajali of
that name. Here tho Kant India Company |*in«mnch a small
fort, which in tlie time of tlie Portuguese was a town ; in
former days tlie Zaworin* palace wan liere. but Ik* baa been
gradually expelled front the place*. Tlie Rajali of this phice
is Door. and therefore of small consideration

Iyroor, the royal family of Cnmgnnoor w hich po wwMCS in
tlie south Pooden and Jaleool. and in tlie cast Marianki, and
other lauds l>e longing to Cochin.

Besides these. Cochin has four tributary Rajahs, who are
considered the pillars of the kingdom. These princes are in-
dependent, but are l>ound to n*|uct tlx- Rajali as tlieir chief,
who settles the disputes of the kingdom, and whom they
must aid against tlie common enemy. They may, however,
have private wars amongst themselves, and even against the
Rajah. Their names are Poread and Berkcnkocr in the
south of Cochin, and Paroor and Mnngntli in the north.

Pore-ad is subject to a spiritual |«incre It was formerly
governed by twelve Brahmins, one of whom in the end rais-
es I himself to the throne. in the following manner. The
eleven eldest Brahmins were in the habit of making a lliltt
of tho youngest, whom they treated as half-witted. Their
victim not knowing how to defend himself, acted like u se-
cond Brutus, resolving in hi* own mind to have his revenge
in due time. At length, it liappem-d that 2,000 Naire, hav-
ing <m some di^iti-faetion, d.-. rUsl from the Zsmoiin, went
about offering their services, and wen- every where refused.
But. they came to Pntvnil. ami offered themselves to tho
twelve Brahmin*, a* chance would have it, tho eleven elder
one* were all together at the time, and sent tlscin in jest to
the youngest, who was bathing, telling tin- soldiers ho wus
tlieir chief. The Main did as they were hid. and going to
the youngest Brahmin, informed him tliat the others had went
theui to him :w their chief, lie. undemanding their mock-
ery. sci«d the op|-Htunity for his own advantage, to re-

All. BEIlK ENKOOR.

vcng« himself for tiieir insult*. He informed the soldier,
that he was the chief, ami that ho would take them into his
aervice on condition that they aliould obey him before all
other*, and perform all hia command* ; lie then promised
Uiem rich reward, if they would put the cloven other Brah-
min. to death. The aoldiera consenting joyfully, lie led
them at might to the pagoda, where the other Brahmin* were
collected. He then oommandrd Uicin t*» perform their buai-
noaa, and the word* were ►can-ely mid when it waa done.
Hi* elovrn com|ttnion* being dead, lie took tlio key of tlie
pagoda, opened it. took out the treasure box. paid tlic *>l-
diore liberally, and nuule himself monarch. In thia dignity
lie and hia heira have maintained themo-lve* to tlie present
llay.. Hi* deed was one which may Well be likened to that
of Brutus, with whom I have alreiuly compared him. The
country of Porcad is very productive of rice and nil the no-
cesKories of life, so that this Rajah is one of the wealthiest
in Malabar; lie has not I » waver rotny Naira, in the place of
whom he is served by Cbego* The Company’s factory in
this place lui* fallen into decay, being as it were swallowed
up by the s**!i ; a new one should be crecUsl there ; but. an
tlic Rajah wishes that it should be on the model of the old
one, whilst the Commandant desires to have a good factory,
m hinted both for a dwelling and for a nepiwr-iuagazine, the
work ha* been up to this time suspended. The Rajah begins
now, however, to lower hia tone, aa they withhold the pepper
grant* from him, and threaten to remove tho factory to Cha-
namungnlom. to which place the pepper can easily be con-
veyed over the great river from Tekkcnkoor and Berkcn-
koor. Porcad lie* between Tekkcnkoor. Borkenkoor and
Kully Quilon.

Borkenkoor lie* nearer t. Cochin tliiui Porcad, abutting on
one aide on the great river and on the other mountain. ; it
is tlic second royally of the kingdom, ami produce* pepper,
canlamom. and wax.

In the north of C.ichiii and in tlic interior, lie Pnroor and
Miuigatli ; they are cl— • together, Pamnr being nearer tlio
Ciawt in tlvc direction of Cnmganour. Parnor i. a poweiftil,
eeelesiasticnl Kajali Hi. country is fmitful in rice, cattle and
other article* of food. The present Rajah i. prudent and crafty,
and live* in friendship witli tlio Commandant Hertenhcrg ;
though, during the Into war. tl»c former Commandant mis-
trusted him. fearing that he had a secret understanding with
the Zamnrin : thi- liowever ha* never Iicpii proved

LITTERS FROM MAl.Ar.AR

.Mangalti U the fourth and last royalty of the kingdom
of Cochin, extending from Paroor to the mountains. In this
country is the renowned river of Mangatti, where the Portu-
guese hail formerly a celebrated bathing place, called Fieru
tl'Akuf respecting which they held some aupontition ; high-
er up there u a no lew celebrated spot. to which aovcral na-
tive Christians reaort on a certain day. to bo cleansed and

C nkled with the water. Some of the Romanist* assert
thia river was derived from the Jordan, otheni that it
cured all aicknemce, and even that it cleansed linen without
Itcing washed ; nonsense which ia not worth oontradicting.
It ia indeed true that the water of this river is purer and
more wholesome than any other hereabout*, and that those
who drink it do not often get the Cochin disorder ; the *hi|w
of the East India Company, and the principal personages
here, are furnished with it In the hot season many ncoplo
go to this river for the sake of bathing, and erect booths
along the shores, or on the sandy spots which are met with
here and there. On one of these spots stands a heathen pa-
goda, made onlv of oUu, in which they celebrate their reli-
gious sem;es during the fine season ; as the rainv season
approaches, when the waters rise, this temple is removed.
From this it would seen) that the heathens also have some
superstition regarding thia river. In this kingdom are two
families, those of BettetU- and KarUttvyd. one of the latter
house being the present Rajah, though that of Bettette is
otherwise the most powerful.

Having thus described the two first royal houses, we will
give a cursory glance on the two remaining : thoae of the
/amor i n and of Colaatri, both situated in the north.

The former ia a very powerful monarch whose influence
has been much exalted by bin arm*, though at the present
day Ins splendour has been considerably diminished in con-

sequence of the wars wages! upon him by the Kiwi India
Company. He haa a numerous and bravo army, in which
respect lie is superior to all tho other princes, who conse-

respect lie is superior to ail the other princes, who conse-
quently are much in dread of him ; but it ia quite a fiction
to say that he i« master of Malabar. Under him are -On -
netene. comprising the country hehind Cnuiganoor as far na
the nver of Chetwa, which was formerly subject to the Za-
monn and a portion of his kingdom, and here was situated

p.tircv""

m M mtiaa fr*m Coefcm. udiiHilli f.vouiilc

" ' ' hah, »« ’-**♦ bo« maths TH* honm ...
Ih. >u*ki of Ite nxrr -II 0

PALINOKKY (CAIRO. REIxikjolL. TAUIJ1AS OI.it VE, &C. li’»

l‘» lull of P »|. me Uo ; but in Uio war of 1 71 <1 be was driven
*’»’>»» tlm whole of thin country, *hich fell into Uio hand*
of the Company, who punm hero enough field* of rice, to
fowl alnuwt tiie whole gamaoii

There is a now fort built in tiie comer of Die country at
tin- mouth of tho river Che two. called Fort William, intended
M » ilefcnco against the entorpriaen of this Kigali.

rolingvry Nairo, ntoatod on tiie opposite honk of the Chot-
wa river and stretching in the north cIom to tliu river Po-
linny.

IteiHiecoil in tlio smith, honlcred by tho country of 1W-
|«c..il and ox tending in Uic north a* far as Calicut Horn
the maternal bouse of tiie Zammin (undo, nndtlic Rojali him
J'i* widence and court at Poruuiy, where the Company also
have a station and maintain on accountant to Loop a watch
over tiie mercantile proceedings of the Zamorin. mid to give
intelligence of what to the Commandant.

TnincreK Gerye. wfiich is situated south of Calicut, and U
bounded on the north W tlic territory of Geringai Nam-
,HX, ri. This U tiie last of tho Zamoriu's provinces towards
tiie sea shore.

Ccringnl Xaiuboori is a spiritual lord. whose lands extend
from Balcnoor in the kingdom of Cokstri in the north, to
tin* river CottosaL Tiie nut famous |>imt-;s inhabit his tor-
ritories who make prey of vessels engaged in the inland na-
vigation between Calicut and Cananoor, and even advance
beyond Calient to tlic borders of Cochin. They are culled
Cotta iVamfatm,

The fourth and last royal family of Malabar, nninod
Colaatri, was coin|iclled bv force of arms to ooncludo an
alliance with tho Hast India CoBiiauiy, when Uiey dn-
privtsl Uio Portuguuo by craft of Cananoo*; since which
timo tlicy have remained g—l friend*. (hough Uiey would
never engage in Uic pettier oontmeta The kwt mnlnnioin
IS found 111 tills kingdom . this. which is round in form

nml morn do B mia in u*to than Ike oUier mark* is u„.
only kind which Uio Bat India Cotn|iaii>' buy for uXliortn-
tioii to Kur»|>c and rkwlien*. Tlic royal family coiisihU of
four branches, of which tlio present re |Hv*cula lives, both
mule and female, are so numerous Uiat Uiey live in gimt ik>.
verty for the moat imt. though it Is tnic that the stale is
well manage* I nml that it a good army: knowing

tliis. the Zulu.., ill wldmii ventures to invade tliis kingdom,
and (he ltojnli ^f H.ihj-cr, w h.. is lord ..f an extensive (cm-

I.OTUH nOM MALARAR.

tory, has encroadied bat little or not nt all upon it Thin
kingdom is bounded in the south by the kingdom of the Zu-
luorin, und in the north it extends to Canam.

In this territory tlie following lUjJin arc comprehend-
cd : —

Balenour. stretching along Uh- const from Uic river Cotta-
sal in the south to Uw river of OonnaimUm in the nortli ; it
contain* several, nests of robber*. m Tritrambicrv. Bcrgareo,
Mootingal. Tjombaa*. and Niagilli® Towards Uic cast it ex-
tends as far aa tho territorioa of the powerful frvo prinoo Per-
revnaoouiL

Pvrrtvvncoeil l>onIcn« to the nouth on the country of the
Zamorin. and to the south-east on Uiat of Maiajoer ; hem is
found tho heat cardamom, and in tho greatest quantities.

DcrmapnUm. Cananoor. WelliapaUin and Marravy are si-
tuated along the shore, bordering on Balcuoor. Tliia is the
|teculinr possession and inheritance of tiie family of Colast ri.

Tullachery Moot* Nairn to the east of l>ermx|B.tAm, cir-
cumscribes the territory of Cobwtri at the back, and in the
north reaches Tjoenette Verre Caimal. in which district is
also situated the English fort Tellichcrry. To this succeeds
Tjoeaette Verre Caimal, which to the north again, is bound-
ed by Allerto Serto Caimal ; the latter stretches inland to
Maisjocr. but northward towards tlie sea is bounded by Al-
lerte Addavodde. This last district concludes the kingdom
of Malabar, bordering on the territory of Canara

I have thus placed l.e(brc you a snLdl picture of tiio prin-
ei|wl tern tori.-* of MaUUr, in tho order in which they join
each other ; some indeed I have not mentioned, either lie-
cause they are so small. or because they are situated in tho
mountains, where we are not well acquainted with tho top...
gmpliy. But-if you wid. to know all tiio petty principali-
ties and province*, which lie there. I will take
tiimty to send you a list of the Naira* whom all tl» load* of
, H , r both small and great retain in their aervioe : when
1 Mill also mention the names of these iwiiioM and lonk

LETTER X.

Um »l Ik* M»Uh»« -Slr»»x. mvmn of Uj«« • <-.»-»• m i (!• pro|wrl; el
Mrikpr-mir ImU by -J-U. -Mm UrojUaj tK. iuio hulliaft
uM, uanotimw Um UoJ into • K*U.i — lo na at > C~b>* cp^k »>m*llm».
aylmming ibiopgU ft n»«» iftko U tod by trocod.... -Sw»g. ov-currmt-
— Tb.l/ i-fUMi* — Tbo rtghU tWy pommm or,, ■!••«*— Safe* ood purchMM.

Ah you have acquired fiuno by your knowledge of juria-
nrudcnco. you may like to hear something about the nativo
law* here.

Their legal suit* are tried according to old customs vird
t nee. No lengthy proceeding* are required to obtain the de-
cision of the csiuv.s which are always concluded within a
few days by tlic liat of tin; RajaJi, who in obscure cases con-
sults with nis Brahmin*. •

tor lading the projieriy of another iu arrest, the warrant
of a magistrate is not required ; any private individual may
do it ; so that a man bf low caste has it in his power to
harass and annoy a Brahmin or a Caimal, tli rough Lis lands
and properties. The Rajahs possess the same power over
each other. However, although license is not required for the
performance of this embargo, tho Rajah's authority is neces-
sary to settle tlie affair ; both parties must appear before
him, and after duly weighing the merits of the case, and re-
ceiving a sum of money, lie give* judgment. When Unjalis
thus arrest each other's property, it is a fruitful ground fur
wars and dissensions : mediators are Mimetimoa called iu to
anting* the matter.

Tho token of this embargo or anv*i. is the leaf of n ca-
shew nut or other live which is tiisl on the article thus nr-
ivstisl, or if it bo laud, it is stuck up on a stick, tho party ex-
ercising this privilege ruin.Mm.iug, " tin* is the /lm no. or ar-
rest of tho Kiyali." After this no one may gather flio fruits
oil' the lands or remove the token ; Midi art would lie consi-
dered (Times of lose mtjrdy. The Kut India <oiii|uiny ev-
ert i*e the 4i me right, nod on .ii.-h nn4<ui< they plant their

I.ETTIKS rHOil UAI Al'.AR

Mag on the spot: but this is only done by order of the Com-
mandant or tlie |>roper authorities. In dio lands subject to
the Company, tho Commandant may remove any mtlkt
placed by a native. The resident* m tho small outlying
stations, Are oMigel to sutfcr the rama* of tito Malabar*, nnd
are allowed to exercise the same privilege on their aide.

Tho Resident of Porcad told mean entertaining anoodoto
on this subject Ho had ooc* caused a rafter to bo brought
to tho station for the repair of tho factor}' ; when it xvna close
to the building, a Nair cuoo and fastened »ronw to it ujmiii
which tli© ooones wlio wore carrying it ran away, as it was
illegal for them to touch it any longer. Tlie Resident being
informed of what hail occurred immediately planted the
Com|iany‘s nun* on tlie spot so that tho parties who were
so ready with their am»l. were themsolvos arrested ; and
compelled to stand without stirring a foot in tlie heat of tlie
sun, until such time as the first rama was removed by order
of tho Rajah, then the Resident released them.

In u. similar manner, when the Rajah owes money to a
Brahmin who can adduce satisfactory proof of tlie debt, tlie
creditor can demand the money of the Rajali, three distinct
times, and if the Rajah still delays payment, the Brahmin
brings a rama from a pagoda, when tlie Rajah may neither
eat, (jeon or Isithc till die dispute is settled luid tlie rama
removed. Such cases however do not often Implicit, for tlio
|icoplc know that monardu Imve long anna.

S Ihibious cases in which uo proof can be obtained, must lie
il.’i ided by Holi'iiin isitlis, which are ordinary in oummoii «f-
luire, but extraordinary where tlio cause is still difficult nnd
important When a dispute arises between two imrlics
nUiut a loan or debt of which there is no proof, the debtor
nnd creditor go together to tlie |>agoda; and having each
given four fan. mis or one shilling to the print, tfcoy nm Its I
to n wooden |«sd, upon which tlw creditor lays a sum of
money e-pud to Hint to which lie lays claim. Thin is a
"'him attestation Iwforo their g«-U of (lie lawfulness of tho
•li'M. which the other party is then l-aiiid to |*y. A", how-
ever, this iins hi of swearing may bv false, it is firmly U-liovctl
among them that a perwin w-Iki lias (icrjurcd himself in this
will meet with a great tiiixtortuuo within three months

I’ho extraordinary mlhs which arc taken in important
rausca, are very perilous, ami resemble die d ials by onl.nl
ii ed formerly in Knr»>]ie in the su|sa»titi<<u« ago*. When a
man is charged with a lutm crime, which cannot 1n< pmved

IX** «r THE MALABAR* TKIAI. BY ORDEAL

(if»

or which Ik; will not confeM, a tiaal or pan containing co-
osi-nut oil is brought and healed in the presence of the Ra-
jah ami hit courtier, and Brahmins ; the accused is then oak-
cl whether ho will confvw Uie dood, and, if he refuse*, ho
raise* his oy«r* to heaven, imploring the protection of Uio

a in the defence of hia righteous cause, and then plung.

• it thumb and two first fingers into the boiling orl no
ppJl* out a ring placed at Ur- bottom of Uio pan. This bo-
mg done, a puiulyt or physician oomos and hinds up tho
three fingers with PUang leaves, which must be left on thorn
for three day* ; if at Uic end of Uiis time Uio flosli where tho
skin has been burnt off is white, he ia pronounced innocent,
hut if hlnck. ho is punWied as a perjured man.

There is another ordeal, by snakes or Cobra capollat.
When a man will not confeaa a crime, thov take a mantle and
wrap up in it one of these reptiles, which are not only poi-
sonous, but arc also reckoned tiered by them ; after calling
on the gods Uie accused must thrust his hand into tho man-
tle and lift up the snake. If be he bitten, he is considered

S Another ordeal take* place in a river or tank in
crocodiles are found. Tlic Cayman' a (alligator's) m-

C on the river Cranganoor close to PaJiporte is especially
us for this process A small heathen templo stands on
the bulk of this river, in which two crocodiles have for a
long time heen supported, their daily food being thrown in-
to the water, so that they arc induced by the bait to remain
there. To undergo this ordeal, the accused is compelled, af-
ter a solemn profession of innocence in Uio presence of the
Brahmins and noble*, and of a great concourse of people, to
swim across this river and hack ; or if he cannot do this ho
must lie dragged through, holding on wiUi his hamls to a
l-iat. If the crocodile pulls Inin under, it is a sign of his
guilt ; if otherwise, he is released a* innocent

The people of Malabar loll a strange story to confirm this
ordeal. There were two broUicra who inherited equally
from their father ; one of them secretly stole and concealed
a Inrgo sum of looney, and on licing accused of Uie fraud by
his brother, denied it, up.n which lie wax compelled to take
the oath by onlml in the rive i The fraudulent party,
thinking to ih-ccivc Uio pals, living hidden Uio gold in his
turlsiii, handed it over to souk- one clue, and then swore that
lie hnd not got his hn-tlier s inhcriUimv — Uiinkilig that ns
the stolen property was in another person's hand, wiUi the
turhaii, it could is* I »■ reckoned a* Ins; after thU ho sjiraiig

T<» UTTWts rmot MM_uun

into the river, swam uninjured acre*. it aim I Inck. Ain I was
llicwfoio |iiimiouiiotI innocent. But, a wonderful n-nirn'm ' 1
took place afterward* ; for. an the pcrjunsl man. fearing no-
tiling further, took Kick hi* turban, nn.l MonI liy Uhi river
to »wh his fc«t, a erecodilo leaned up the l*ank, liim
l»v lli*- dragged him into the rivor. nn.l devours* I him.
'flu? spectator*, aghast at such an ooctirrcnco, took up tin*
turbun which he had let drop, examined it more closely, nn.l
discovered tlie gold concealed in it ; by which they nerocivod
the cunning of the swearer, and Uie justfoe of their gods. I
leave the truth or falsehood of this talo for what it in worth ;
one thing b certAin, that tlioso onlcaU arc not to bo depend-
ed on. but that the ceremonies used, the danger, and their
own superstition combine to cause criminals rather to-con-
fem, than to submit to these perilous ordeal*.

Tho prisons of Malabar are of a peculiar construction, and
nrc generally situate*! in tlie square* of tlieir royal court*.
'II icy arc not heavy edifices of stone, nor furnished with iron
gratings and strong bam, but Are mere quadrangular enclo-
sures, the size of a man in length, breadth, and height, made
of wooden gratings nailed together. Above them is a small
loft where rite Nairn who guard the prisoners pass the night
and usually take a nap. Such prisons as these would in Jvu-
rope l»e more tit to keep fowls than human bciugs. The pri-
soners often escape from them, as did aomc Canaresc lately,
who had robbed their idols temple. The Rajah confines in
t^pse prisons not only great criminals, hnt those who are
•snidomned to pay him a fine for some misdemeanour ; tln-sc
eldoin escape, as they would not wish to be banished from
their country for tlie sake of a little money.

Among legal matters may he included the rights masters

1 .. .MOH* regarding the sale of their slave*. Tin- Pnlk alis i*i\-

1 .. >in slaves. Every zemindar, prince or wealthy Nair. has n
certain number of them whoao children are also U»rn in xlii-
vvry. But as these |wor creature* form a |actulinr mid mi-
in nmu cwtt, thay ham certain privilege* granted Uh pm,
which secure their maintenance, *u tlmt none may perish
frem want. Tlieir iiiA*tor*are not hound to give them daily
nourishment, but in tlie Malidwr country they liavo tho
rightnf building and planting, for which ‘ I d soil s they re-
ceive Mttksl wages |«»i.l either in fimama or in measures of
rice ; and the estates on which Uiey work may belong eitlicr
to their own master nr to some l**ly eU* ; for if their own
master Is* m»t in want of nut •4M*>*< Ld-.iir they nuiy *-s.*U

suvks an i) rvixiusix itnishmkntk

it oUcwlier*, always taking cnre u n< K-r i i»k of punishment
to appear In- fore him at Ilia summon*

'V hen the paddy b cut they revive U« tenth j«rt in
ituyuient, and a aort of Mack paddy which springs fourteen
«I.«vh afterward* called AfeniO is also their pcruuuuto. Their
masters have power to |>ut them to death; without being
•'died to account, or, if they please, to sell them ; though this
is not often done without aoiue good reason.

In «»**•■ of indigence ; a Pullcah uncle and mother may
soil a child, but not for more than GO faiiaius; and if a higher
price were to be given, it would bo of no use to them, us tho
proprietor would take the overplus. The eldest born, whe-
ther son or daughter, of a Pullcah couple is the property of
tho owner of the lather, and tho other children belong to tho
owner of the mother, who has also a right of redeeming tho
first child for the sum of lt> fiuuuns whether the possessor
liko it or not' Among Europeans these things arc unite
different, for the master of the mother has a right to all tho
children, there being nr> legal form of marriage among the
slaves. With us. too. a master or mistress may strike or
chastise, hut not kill a slave. And if a slave were to com-
plain of gross ill treatment from his master or mistress and
after a strict examination it were to lie found that the alleg-
ed cruelties were true, lie might obtain his fives loin, or Ids
master might be compelled to sell him to another. If a slave
were to raise his hand to strike his master or mistress, or
otherwise injure them he might be punished by death. A
freed slave may give evidence, but not one in servitude. No
one may sell his slave to a heathen. Jew, or Turk, for by so
doing he would place hi* aoul in peril.

To return to the Ualahora ; Rajahs and Princes may ■ell,
lie-side* Pullcah*. men of other cArtes, Naira, Chegos, Arc, who
have committed any crime by which they liave lost canto
and are liable to capital punishment No Rajah ha* power
t<» sentence to execution a Brahmin or a Canarose, however
heinous his crime ; hut he may cauae lib ey« i to be torn
out, or hi* hand to be rut off, by whith ho would lie dis-
honoured and expelled from hi* caste. Capital punishment
i» executed in divera methods. The criminal may atiuid up-
right ami have hb head cut off ; or he may be allot, for
which purpose ho is nude to »Und unfettered and free in an
"pen field, and three or four allots are rapidly discharged nt
him. If lie le not wounded mull- gin to ran away he is
pursued nnd fired at until he i* killed, when hi- lxnly i-

7 2 LETTERS PtaOt MAI. A BAR

thrown into the river. Sometimes tliey cm|nlo criminals
nlive, piercing a aliarp pointed utick right through the body,
which soon puU an end to hia life.

I dial I conclude this letter with an account of tlio wiles
ami Ioann of tho Malalsuw, which, though they are of vnriouit
kiiulfi. may l« ivducvd under live heads :

1. Then U the compete male, oiled Alt Palin, which doc* not
ofU'ii take plan ; when a pmoa resigns all right over a garden or
e.t.to which Im haa sold ; and the fotmdsry of this doc I runs tint. ;
tlut lie renounce* »too# and mod, splinters and thorns, snake*, grant
arid •null, and STrrything witYui the four camera of the oHato to
him aid to his raccneon It ll* Mate is situated on tho river
bank, the number of (nt to which it extend* in tho water in alio
certified.

2. There is a mode of loan called Palla which is very common,
and can only be explained by an M|li Thun, au|i|nuiig a mm
lui* a garden worth 10,000 fonams, he sells it for 8,000 f. or O.OOnf.,
retaining for the remainder of the wise the right to the proprictur-
al.i|. of U* Mate ; for ttae 1,00 * .« 2,000f. the (StLcr must
pay an annual interest. If the seller wishes at the end of sumo
years to bay back hia c*Ute, he must restore the 8,000 or 9,0041
fanuns, and pay in addition the sum of money that shall har e been
fixed by men enramisaiooed to value the improvements made upon
the property in the interim by fresh plantations of cnomiNilou or
other fmit trees. But if the pert Laser or taunt becomes weary of
the estate and wishes to force it back on the original possessor, be
can do so only at a loss of 20 p ft cent.

3. Berampatla is s complete lease, similar to those which bike
place among us.

4. Karamtt is s species of exchange one man lends a garden
to another worth, for instance, 6,000f. and borrow, that sum in
return for an appointed term of years, during which tho fruits of
the garden *crrc for intcrot. ,

5. f/ierpalla : — A landlord give, to name individual a piocc of
wnsto buxl for building or for planting with cucua|uliu*, mid receive*
no interest for it until the trees arc so high that a Canuik sitting mi
nn elephant can reach a leaf of them with hi* Mkk. A small sum
of money i» however i.nd Mm. I» ihI for the nso of the l.nnl ; when
the trees Imre attained the height al»v* mnitUicd tile garden is tax-
ed according to its value, ami rent pud accordingly.

LETTER XI.

R.-MW Of tin «UWw of C«Ua. -T bw4* of Oarw w — t -A«o*mU
of Urn K.UonU AMbta cetM^ ' mm of raMrfwr 7.

The Malabar State*. in common with all other* in the
world, pomem certain fixed revenue* and fund* for replenish -
ing the treasury, and maintaining royal pomp, and the wel-
fare of the state ; though here the Rajah's incomes are not
very large or out of the common. Their chief profits are de-
rived from their private estates. and the inferior prinoes are
often richer than the reigning sovereign, being possessed of
larger free and hereditary properties.

Merchandize ia a source of great gain to monarch* whoso
territories ore on the coast, for which reason these Malabar
Rajahs have taken so eagerly to commerce. Why, when the
Portuguese first visited these coasts, did the Moore possess
so much influence over the Zamorin t Because they, at that
time the only maritime traders, procured him so much pro-
fit that he feared to disturb them by the reoeption of stran-
gers.

Ten per cent is the duty levied on all goods imported into
the kingdom of Cochin by private and native merchants, and
the profits derived from it are divided between the Company
and the Rajah. The latter obtained this privilege originally
from tho Portuguese, and ainee their expulsion the East In-
dia Company havo confirmed him in the enjoyment of it, in-
troducing however some changes in the rate of the duties—
tho Portuguese having impoeea different amounts of duty on
different nations, aa appear* from the following list, on tho
imports—

7 per oent to tho Rajah.

3 per cent to Portugal.

5 per cent to the Rajah.

3 per rent to Portugal.

S per rent to the Rajah.

3 per rent to Portugal

tho Moore paid
the Bonjancao „
the Csnarrec

But, now. these restrictions are done a way with, nil paving
10 per cent, of which 6 goes to the Rajah and * to the Com-
pany. The duty on exports is 6 per cent

All goods imported by the Company, and those forwarded
bv thorn to their settbin-nU and lactones elsewhere, are free.
There It no rate of toll* fixed for the merchandize of foreign
nations. >uch as French. English, as they are not allowed to
trade at the Comi^n/* factories. To the Portuguese alolie
has been conceded by long custom, permission to dis|»oeo
of sweetmeat*, eatable*, tic . brought from China, when they
put in here on the pamage u. Ooa, paying on these a duty of
4 per oent to the Company M»d 6 per cent to the Rajah.
The Company and the Rajah each appoint an officer to col-
lect these dues.

The doty on native commodities, such as pepper, which
amounts here to half a ducat perkandy, ia |nud by the mer-
chant who sella them, and not by the Company. ’ The dues
are heavier in the south.

There are certain estates in <1 labor, whose owners are
obliged to pay an annual tribute in recognition of their pro-
prietorship to the Rajah ; this » regarded rather as a free
will offering than a tax.

All merchandizes conveyed by inland navigation pay n
juninra or toll of 1 percent, to the Rajah, the merchants en-
tering the grew amount of their cargo at the junJceiuviM or
custom houses, 'which are curious edifices, built on piles in
the water) ; small as this tax u. it prows heavily enough
on the inhabitants, as there arc a great many of these cus-
tom houses. All vcwels bearing the Company's flag, axe five
and exempt from examination. The duties on tohaoco from
Coedenatti. Coechim, and Oed Lara poor are a source of consi-
derable emolument to the Rajah The native tobacco is
somewhat raw in taste ; no doubt it would he much niocr if
they understood the art of preparing it as they do in Kuropo ;
for here the leaves are tied up in Iwndle* and sent off Wore

KCVENl'tS OF THE RAJAHS.

All gardens situated in Carre param pay a lentil on their
liuitK to the Rajah of Cochin, who ia iho sole loid (volkomm
mr«fcr^of^the land. He receives a smaller proportion in

On all debts discharged under sentence from the Rajah he
receivoe 20 per cent Mother* present an offering on the birth
of their children. He is the inheritor of the property of all.
whether Heathens. Moors, or Jews, who die without heirs,
and this sometime* when Uiero are blood relations living.
Ho receives an acknowledgment in money for every office
or dignity he confer* If he despatches any of his guards to
the assistance of any one be ■* pccta a valuable present in
return. . The visits paid him by his subjects always bring in
eonjething. and thin ia especially the cam on their firat intro-
ductions to him, or if they ham any favours to 4emand. The
offerings which they hring, consisting of stuffs, money, fruit,
or any thing else, they must deposit at bis feet ; al»d this
custom is so universal in Malabar that if the natives have
any favour to ask of the Commandant, they always bring
him presents of pigs, fruit, or poultry.

We must also take into tonsideration the fines paid by
criminals : for the right of passfng sentence being vested in
the Rajah of each State, they understand how to make the
most of the opportunity of making the criminals bleed well
in their purses, and there is hardly any crime which may
not he expiated by money.

All ruminating animals, such as oxen, cows, buffaloes, be-
long to the Rajah, as well as thorn that have five or six tents.

All people, whether of high or low caste, who have trans-
gressed against the distinctions of caste, belong to the Rajah,
who generally sells them. No one may wear whiskers, ex-
cept by hia permission, for which a fine or acknowledgment
must be paid, and then a gnat banquet is celebrated in
honour of them whisker*

All lenses, renewals of contract, k*.. bring him in a small
mini, mid all deck, of gift and sale must be renewed at the oc-
casion of every new monarch On the death of a fooflfao
(Lemma*) Li* hoir must renew the dood of gift, purchase
or Hof (ai/l Loop-emUt/i) and nay for it

A gift for maintenance (gift tot onderhoud) oonforrod by
tho Rajah on any one who subsequently dies wiUiout legiti-
mate heirs, reverts to the Rajah.

All tho chiefs of the Mncquaa. Chapa, Cannekaas. fcc.
must pay an annual sum to the Rajah for their dignity.

LETTER* FROM MALABAR.

All Christiana, Jew* end Moor*, wishing to obtain license
to uae drums and wind instruments at their festivities and
merry making* must present an offering when they demand
the Rajah'* permission. Person* of low caste must do the
name in order to obtain permission to wear the menial or
tillet round the head, gold ring*. Ac

It would aeem that the income dcrivod from all these
noureos ought to bo sufficient to maintain the regal slat*)
handsomely, but as their dominion* .are for the most part
very limited, the petty Rajahs are generally poor. The

greater Rajahs may amass a. considerable fortune, the more
a h their expenditure is 'small

I shall now add a few words on the mode in which tho
Government is conducted. .The Rajah is supremo in tfooso
dominions yhich are immediately subject to him, but not in
tho free inheritance* which belong to the minor Rajah* and
Caimals, for every one is sole lord in hi* own territoriea
They know little of assemblies, councils oc parliament* The
Rajah chooses his favourites at htf pleasure, consulting them
in particular cases, but generally being guided solely by his
own will, unless that will sbouM run entirely counter to the
customs of fbe country. Many keep near them a Brahmin
to instruct them in the fundamental and long established
laws and customs.

The only checks upon their arbitrary power are the gene-
ral assemblies of the nation, which are however, but seldom
held. These are of two kinds : one assembled under orders
of the Rajah, the otlier by the spontaneous will of the peo-
ple M on yy cars elapse between tho rccuntnoe of these as-
semblies. Those summoned by the Rajah are conducted a*
follows : He do* patches mmengera, who by birth and de-
scent are entitled to this office, in all directions to summon
the people When collected, they sit down in a circle in the

K air, a number of Naira keeping guard around them.

propositions are then diacuascd and measures rejected
or adopted by unanimous silence or clamour. But, in allium
of minor importance not affi-cting the welfare of the whole
community, the chief* of the nation alone are summoned,
and decide upon the question.

The assemblies collected by the will of the nation arc con-
ducted in much the same manner, but with mure impetuosi-
ty. These are never held except in awes of emergency when
the Rajah is guilty of ‘extreme tyranny or gross violation of
the law. Then, all the land proprietor, 'lamk-dieeren) are hid-

MOD* or OOVKBXMEXT. NATION At ASSEMBLIES 77

den to Attend, and any one wl»o dared refuao to obey tbe sum-
mons would be subjected by the assembly to the drvastn-
tion of liis garden., bo u*a, estates, tanka, fcc, and. if he were
to |ieraiat in hia obatinacy would be liable to be deprived of
Ida privileges and votes, or even to be MOte&ocd to bauiali-
nwnt A. the object of Uw*e assemblies is to thwart the
will of the Rajah, we are not surprised to find that he docs
all in hia power to obstruct their deliberation* llo hna no
right to attempt to put them down by force of arms, and. be-
side*, so many thousand* flock to these meetings that ho
would find difficulty in so doing if lie tried : so ho scuds n
troop of Lull called Pander* iWf* with instructions to nYo-
voke them with all manner of annoyance* and to pelt them
with stones, sand and dirt The Naira on guard do all they
cun to keep otT the assailants with their shields,.

If any one, provoked past endurance, were to strike and
hurt one of these youths, it would by their laws be regarded
us a crime of treason (geeekonde us majesteit) the assembly
would be involved in a heavy fine, and be deprived of its in-
violability ; and the Rajah might then proceed aguinst them
bv arms , if he were to fail in subduing them they would
all desert their allegiance Allies and neighbours do their
best to remedy all the mischief thence ensuing, and endea-
vour so to intercede between the partits that, every one is
confirmed in his righta

The guards (SchuUamannen) are a body of men employed
by the Rajah in the defence of any pagoda or estate to the
possession of which their right is disputed. These guards
are bound to defend such places at risk of their lives, and
to attack tho assailant*, for wliose death they are not held
responsible. They do not fcar death in tl»e cauac, knowing
that the Rajah whom they servo is pledged by the laws to
revenge their blood. So |«owerful is the love of revenge in
those nations, that in hope* of obtaining it tliey aro willing
to encounter death itself. and no reconciliation can over l«
brought aliout until full satisfaction lias boon taken for tho
offence.

Thus are public n flair- conducted in Malabar, in a very
different way from our piocwding* in Euroim, where each
separate nation has it* own law* Meanwhile, I pray tho
Almighty tliut he will etld«w you. who liavo a share In tho
management of the Netherlands Exchequer, with wisdom
and truHt-worthines-s in your difficult employment ; and sub-
crihe my* If.

LETTER XII.

Ol Um Of InrfW-RopOT, t*c«U* *<, s*J iMr vskw-OI tk. monvy

l.rnml .mo.* Ik. Eumj^o. uM fu nto-Of Ik. fuisi*., UkotoU, and

UW ltW

Sir.— A* you have U»o superintendence of the Stylos’
mint, and the charge of that coinage which is used for the
service of the world-famous Dutch trade as wdl ns for re-
plenishing the public treasury, you will not be displeased at
iny nddNodag to you in the present letter. an account of tliu
coins used by the East Indians.

Their . current money is of three kinds, the European
money, the Ueathen. and the Moorish : for, though there an;
many Jews here, yet as they po®c*« no State of their own,
so neither have they any peculiar coinage.

The Moorish pieces which are used in trade throughout
India, are the Rupees, which consist of gold and silver,
and whole and half rupees. They are stamped with letters
on both sides : for the Moors have such a horror of all fi-
gures and images that they will not endure even the like-
new of a l>ea*t— flower* only being admissible. This is soon
discovered hy traders, who consequently take care not to of-
fer them wares of . China or silk having patterns in which
Animals are introduced. And yet 1 have ven a set of gold
runees, twelve in number, bearing the twelve signs of tho
xodiac ; together with a small gold penny hearing tho like-
ness of a man, and said to be a re p re s en tation of Mahomet.
Nobody could tell me when or where this last piece was
struck : but with regard to tho ntpoos, it is well-known tluit
they were coined by order of a famous Mogul emprew, who,
poanewting entire sway over tin- mind of the great Mogul,
und boing immoderately ambitious, desired above all things
to perpetuate her name ami glor^ hy some extraordinary
deed. Nothing was more suitable for this |*irpoM than to
strike a new coin : so she issued orden. tluit throughout all
jmrt* of her extensive domains, stamp* bearing the twelve

COINAGE OF INDIA

signs of the zodiac should be pzvpuvd under the care of cer-
tain of her faithful servants She then exerted all her fe-
male arts of cajolery to induce the monarch to grant her ab-
holuto sway for one single day. This ahe obtained under
curtain conditions ; and when the day arrived, she despatch-
ed swia mesne ngere in all directions with orders that the
rupees should bo immediately struck, which was aooording-
ly done. The following day when lire emperor resumed his
authority, he sent round counter order*, to prohibit Uie coin-

E break up the stamns. and call in all the money that hud
ady been struck : but the empress had been beforehand
with him, and had caused many tliouaands of the rupees to
be circulated and collected in cabinet*, and thus it happens
that to this day many Collector* of curiosities, both Chris-
tian* and Moors, have several of tliem in their possession.
Indeed it is sometime* doubted wbetiier their number has
not been increased by false copies.

Of the rupees in actual circulation, the common gold ones
are the least useful in trade, and do not always maintain the
same standard value beyond the Mogul empire. 1 have
seen them exchanged here for 71 rix dollar*. according to
the Indian reckoning. The stiver rupee, both lialf and whole,
is used in trade throughout the Indie*, and especially in the
district* of Bengal and Surat. TI>o Bengal coin is either the
Sicca rupee or the Bazaar rupee. Sicca ru|wcs are of two
sorts, the new and the old ; both being good, but the old
the mmt prized. Bazaar rupees are poor, and are worth at
least three stivers* lam titan the other*, in this |«art of the
world. The Surat rupee* are also good. They are much
the same a* the Sicca rupees, and are likewise much user! in
trade. Tl»e value of a ni|**e is leas tluui its current price,
which M live shilling*. f But. beyond the Benzol territory
no one gives more titan fair shilling* and a halt for a Bengal
in I mv. Tito silver of the ni|ie« is very line, and of a better
(■utility than that of tt* dumU Tlie English coin ni|Kws at
tlioir chief place. Madras, but these an* inferior to the nqiooH
of Surat A ru|*e is about tlic aiao of a shilling in circum-
ference, but it» tliickiv-** u greater.

The Paj^da i* a gold coin struck by the lioathons, in va-
lue about equal to two rix dollar*. It weigh* the same
as n ducat, but is of inferior quality. It is called a pagoda

• A l>*t*t» e»ev «)>ul In *>-nt a |*nnv.

♦ A Pitvh <hi l:o; n •~th «*w*t HI •tint..

LETTERS FROM MALABAR

lx;cau.sc it beam the linage of an idol on one aide : a pagoda
lading the name for an idol temple. The moat valuable aro
those bearing tlie impression of three heads. Thu pagoda*
with one head are lea* circulated There is no image on tho
reverse, lart an impression of holes, resembling the exterior
of a thimble.

I have seen two kinds of Japanese coins ; the Kolang and
the IUeboa There are half and whole kobangs : (lie Hntt
equal to five and tho last to ton rix dollars Roth are Hat
oblong pieces of gold, bearing no impression savo a kind of
sign in the middle, not unlike that with which our Vats are
marked. Tho other coin, the lUcboo is a small liar, and is
seldom or never used by tho European* in trade.

The coins which Europeans make most use of, are rix
dollars, ducatoons, Spanish molten and ducats. The Dutch
usually compute by rix dollar*, and though salaries arc*
counted by gulden in the Company’s books, they are gene-
rally paid down by tlie first named coin. Property nuu is
taxed by rix dollars, and they are the medium employed
in private commercial transaction* But a rix dollar here
is equivalent to 48 stivers, only, instead of 50 as in Europe, — •
hence people who put their money into the Company’s
funds to be repaid in Holland, make four per cent profit, or
two stivers on every rix dollar.

The ducatooa is the coin chiefly circulated by tho Coni-
|MUiy in the Indies and particularly at Batavia. It pa«ac.s
tor thirteen shillings ; thereby affording the Company a
clear profit of 2J shillings on each picoc. 1 must add an ob-
servation as to the remarkable ingenuity evinced by the
Com|*ny in their mode of faying their servant* It ia a
good specimen of lliat cunning Uwiftinna for which they are
noted all over tho world In tlie first place they |«v in du-
catoons, which always pass current here for thirteen xhilliiigH,
instead of I0J, and in tlie second plaoi they pay their light
money for licnvy, an that tlirir servants for olio gulden re-
ceive no more than sixteen stivers. And. in addition to this,
the inferior ollicvrs of the Company reooivo their pay half in
money and half iu kind, giving tho Company a profit of 50
per cunt on Indian mod* and 75 |>cr cent, on home commo-
dities. From ail which it appears very plainly that a sol-
dier whose pay i* nine gulden only cost* his employers four.

This however docs not alienate people from their service :
for so artfully have they managed tlie whole concern that
their officers, instead of feeling injured, are. on the contrary.

MODE or PAYING SALARIES.

well pleased with the treatment they receive. Tltey are paid
at the beginning of every month, so that no one ia kept
waiting, a punctuality which diatinguiahea the Dutch above
all oilier European* in India Moreover they give their ser-
vant* a monthly allowance for board, varying according to
their rank, and other composition* of like kind. A soldier
receive* about four ahillinga monthly, and rioe sufficient for
Ilia consumption. An inferior merchant has four rix dol-
lar* : chaplain* and upper merchant* 10 $ rix dollar*, and
also a house or lodging. At Batavia a permanent chaplain
receive* twelve rix dollar* per month to provide lodgings,
a pilo (tUtptll of firewood, two quart* (kan) of lisbon wine,
four quart* of Dutch vinegar, rix lb*, of cheese, twelve quart*

lour quart* ot initcn vinegar, six in*. 01 cneese, twelve quart*
of sack, twenty four lb*, of Dutch butter, and other articles
be«ide* The same ia the case in other place*, where, in lieu
of money, they receive a house, seven quart* of wine, four
lb* of cheese, one lb. of apices, consisting of clove*, cinna-

mon, mace and nutmeg (for the Company give or sell these
articles, mixed, to their officers in order to prevent private
trade in them) one quart of lisbon nil, eight quart* of cocoa-
nut oil for their lamps, half a pile of wood, and drinking wa-

ter. If to all this we add the 10$ rix dollars for board. 1
cannot see that our chaplains have any right to complain.
Further to obviate all discontent, the Company empower
their servant* to send over their account*, signed by the Di-
rector General, to Europe, where they may receive their
whole salaries without any reduction : but a* this counts
is attended with peril, and perwuis at distant station* would

have a long time to wait for their money, they prefer receiv-
ing their salaries with U»c before mentioned lu~t

The Spanish liatMn, which are here reckoned worth 10

dulling*, come from the Manilla or Philippine Island-, the
Spnniurda bringing them to Batavia for the purchase of linen
and cinnamon, too* exported to the West Indies. The Com-
| am l r make considerable profit on this trade.

Ducat* are alao much used in the Persians' commerce, flint
nation circulating them in their payment* to our CnUi|Mil>'.
The Venetian ducata are the most valuable. The king of
Persia receives heavy duties on the ducat*, which the Com-
pany also are bound to pay. Consequently the price of tin*
ducat i- higher here titan elsewhere ; and as the Persian* sell
no great amount of good* to the Company, the latter are
bound to receive the ducat at the fixed price, which rises ns
high as nineteen shillings, though more usually it is 18 or

UTTERS fROM XtHnAR

|8J. At Tuteconrn they are valued at SO* The settlements
of Malabar and Ceylon are generally provided witli them*
ducat* ; the |*pper trade being always carried on with that
coin, at a rtrni price of 18a the ducat

But now to aescribo our Malabar upecie. It l.a* a good
•hid of variety, on account of the number of monarch* who
l«)H<u*«x the right of coinage. The gold and silver piece* nr«t
gcncmlly called fanama. those of copper or lead. Bocsorokken
They difTer greatly in value in different phuv*. A fnnam of
Calicut is worth one shilling, a fanam of Quilon two shil-
ling. and a half ; while those of Cochin are four to the
shilling. It is my intention at present to describo only thu
Cochin mint, as lasing that in which the East India Com-
pany is concerned. »

The Boeaerokken are a mixture of load and tin melted to-
gether. and bearing on the one side the arms of the Kn*t In-
dia Company, and on the other a figure resembling n harp.
They are smelted in moulds, several being stuck together at
the side, and then cut separate. Sixty of them are equiva-
lent to a Cochin fanam or one stiver and a half, so that if u
man were to reckon his capital in this coin he would find
himself the possessor of some hundreds of thousands. The
Cochin fanam*. are the common money of that king-loin,
made use of both by the merchants and by the Kn*t India
Company which pays its servants* salari.-s in this coin. Tin-
right of coining fanam* nnjiortains to the king of Cochin
as supreme auUmrity in the country : but tli.au monarch*

are apt to be defrauded by those whom they appoint to
strike tho coin*, and the metal has Iwn found to he adultc-
rated both in the assay and eom|>osition of tin* metal ; con-
sequently the Company have mmmiled the king to allow
tho coinage to take place within the city, reserving to him
self the appointment of the Mint master* and Iwving hi.
own mark ttamprd upon Uio oan. kit placing all under the
supervision of the l>iit.-h ('-iiinnlvit wi» NBOall Coumil*-
-ii»iier* to watch tho striking, mixing, ami assaying .if th-
fniMin* and to *•*■ that they have tln-ir due weight and vi
lee. There is alway* n deduction of 4 per cent., two for lin-
king and two for the master of the mint, who pays all the
expense* incurred in the coinage. The* fiui.ui. niv com-
posed of gold, silver and copper. 10 II. ,.f the incta! king
made up of 1 |H. of fine gold of the highest teat. 41 lb. of
line silver, and »} IK of fine Japan c-nqier. This mixture K>-
ing melted down i* then m >uhl<.l into little balls of the

into little balls of the pro-

TIIK COINAGE AND ITS PROFITS. NS

|*>r weight, anil beaten flat w ith a stamp having certain Ma-
InImi- character* on either side. The own u small, and very
inconvonient to han.lie. The East India Comj»ny derive a
profit from this coinage, as supplying the gold, silver ami
copper material : but this is not their only gain ; for tlto
promt Commandant has discovered that the loas which al-
ways takes place in the smelting of the mixed metal and
from which the old Mint masters made their profit, is nolii
loss upon the gold and silver, but upon lire copper, and has
to In* iinwle good by tire addition of so much copper only.

Finally, 1 must speak of a kind of money called cowrie-,
used not only in Bengal, but also exported in quantities to
tire West Indies. These cowries are small shells found on
theshores of the Maidive Islands They are distinguished
into the coloured cowrie*, which are thoee least priced, and
the white cowries, which are used instead of money In the
aforesaid countries. The Hindoos in Bengal go about with
Ugs full of cowries to purchase their daily necessaries : and
the Europeans make their slaves cam- them behind them,
:rnd use them on all occasions. F'wmi this we perceive that
they may be made the means of a profitable trade, and in-
deed several English private ships visit the islands to buy
them. It is a « large rous voyage however, both on account
of tire adjacent deep and of the climate, which is often fatal
to foreigners. The inhabitants are a wretched race, owing
to the islands lieing small and frequently under water, ami
*0 barren that they afford scarcely any thing but cocoanuth,
which, together with a few* fish, are the only sustenance to be
procured. The boats of the** |*ople come annually to Co-
chin, bringing cowries for tire Company, a few cocoanut*.
and «nne dried fish which look like bits of wood, and an*
equally Irani. In return f.w tliCM* commodities they take
rice, the value of each cwrgo not amounting u» more than 300
..r 400 Rix dollars. Their Ionia are- strangely fashioned.
The bottoms are* nuide of wood, but w ithout nails, bring fn*t-
orusl together by wooden bar* A foot above water they atv
woven of reeds or straw, for I ran not exactly say what it is;
iiiul their anchors are |«ccra of wood : *o that Irow* they ma-
nnge to cross the sea is a inarvcL However they only sail
in the fine season, when storms never occur
The natives of the Maidive Islands arc blacker than the
Mala ban*, and of a good height Tlieir religion is the Ma-
hometan. You may imagine the power of their moiuircn
when 1 tell you that at the annual voyage of his ship- l.v

LETTERS FRO* MALABAR.

send* a royal present to the Commandant of Malabar, which
ia brought with all due ceremony into the city ujion a silver
salver Tent for the occaaion, and coiuiaU generally of two
mi uill iimta, worth acarcely two shilling* !

Cowries being the principal wealth of those islands, it in
worth while to mention how they arc collected. The native*
tako branchea of the cocoanut tree on which they fasten
'tones to make tliem aink to the bottom. These they leave
lying in rowa from aix to eight feet deep in the sea. round
the island. At the end of aome day* they go out in their
canoes, and taking up theac branch** gently, find their
leaves covered on Jl side* with cowrie* which they shake
off into their boat*. They arc then thrown into heap* and
left to decay, till they are thoroughly dried and purified
from animal matter, after which they are polished and either
sold to the merchants who come for them, or carried by the
natives to Malabar and Ceylon.

Here you liave a brief account of the money to be found
in India* There are many other kinds beside*, current in
particular province*, but those I have mentioned are the
most used in commerce, particularly in commerce with Eu-
ropeans Having thus fulfilled my promise. I will here con-
clude, he.

LETTER XIII.

fecUlutkMl u*l imdm ka Master -Cortoourr

t lugbn .nJ ardtn W lU daily

uluUlioni (*•
I mhI (Mi

I 1 hope you will not object to my writiDg vou a letter on
" miscellaneous topic*,” tending to a more full acquaintance
with the affair* of Malabar. First, I will mention tho mag-
nate* of thia country, who may be distinguished as the
Spiritual and the Temporal grandee*.

The Malabar Brahmans, or Kambooriei as they are called,
in some cases exert secular authority, being the possessors of
certain domains, with Nairs or soldiers in their service, and
the power of capital punishment over their subjects; being
amenable to no superior sovereign or rajah. They have
also the patronage of all offices and dignities within their
territories, so that ih this respect, also, they are independent
in the same manner as some of the German bishops, only
that their dignity is hereditary, whereas that of the German
bishop is electoral

\ The Namboorus are also sometime* lords over certain
territories, exercising the right of making war. Tho four
principal Nambooriea are those of Eincour, Manacaloa, Poe-
nutocr, and Ella Enganarv, who are very powerful. The
Namboories are neither spiritual nor temporal sovereigns, but
■uny bo called half spiritual, half lcni|>ond In order to un-
derstand this we must remark that in tho old times of Chc-
riim|*>rouinal. when that monarch had reigned twelve yean,
many people wished to summon a new emperor from Hin-
dustan to fill his place, whilst other* were dmirous to keep
him in power, on account of his mge government. Now, tho
first party, having introduced their new em|wa>r into the
country, some Brahmans of the other side went to meet him,
cut off his head, and brought it to Chenunporoumal, who
was then at Telepale near Amkoer. In consequence of this
deed they lost caste, indeed, but Chcrainpcroumal to shew

ICTTKRS FROM UAI.AIUR.

St.

nin gratitude made them Kamboorif* and gave llieua tln-
.lui-ls of Tellepalc for a perpetual po*--*«*ion.

_/l'hc C'aitnala arc temporal |->t* nuU*. *!<*>. |**«iciming t-lio
n^flit of making war. Some of them nn* subject to the
prince* in whose territories they an- -limited ; lull other*
mv imlc|vmUnt : tlie difference dc)>cnd* on the privilege-
they received in ancient time* Tlie MnUlstr* a*y limt there
nn- fifty laiinal* in tin* Kingdom of Cochin.

Tbu Raaiiloora an* lord* who have been mi«cd by tin*
lbijidm to certain conimanda over the army or country. In
many place* they arc ap|«>int« d U> govern a district or town
in the name of tin* |<rimv. lieride- the**, tlicrr i* nnotlicr
cbiM, namely, tlie XJenvu*. tliat is to my scribe*. win me olHev
it i* to write tlie letter* of their Rajahs and great ]icoplo
" itli an iren -tyle on tin? oUu“ or leaves of eocaimit tree*,
to record public affair*, to make out business lettera, nml
iilso to tic up and seal the Prince* letters, which may n«*t lv
done by cixnmon j- nv>ns Thcae Menons rise indeed to
hi^lier dignities, sometimes even becoming captains and
chiefs of the aimy, when they acouire tlie title of Mtnvu
Mare. The Gocry|«s (who are tlie fencing masters) are like-
wise held in great esteem, some Princes mid Rajah, bear this
title, a- for instance, the (Soeiyp of Travancore.

And now to another subject. 1 will her* *lescril>e the
manner in which the lower class.'., -Iicw rt^javt to the higher .
and some other of their cu -tomary gestures, in which their
nuuincn liear a marked difference from thu-c of the Euro|a-itn».
While with us a -hake of the head banian of refusal or denial,
with the Malabursonthecuntrary to incline the head from hide
to side signifies affirmation and aati-factioii. A negative
they express by opening and cloning the thumb and first two
filigvm.

No greater affront can be shown to a Malabar tlum by
striking him with the sulk on which a oocoannl grew-. A
rcmarkahlo instance of thi* occurred not long ago. A
Quilon-kan. (a* the Uack Christians of Quilon nrv called),
going to the liouso of aCbegoto tap toddy, hard words hap-
pened to pass between him and tlie Cbcgo'a inutlier. and the

"TUy Ik- of «iU v*m Um. fill <M il,. I.imildi of t—i

inckN, o.l l-o h*od. Ions b l»-« . Uk, U, terthtr mvnv *. tier Until
111. and put a »U dick Ikrougk tkm. <* tb. to* wkk I. duo. tl..y Ui.
-tide or both -id. to Uw bar* with lacktfcnad ,—m.h at «bm* lf»r.. i.

o/a .~ — Fntn Jcin ll.tif. RmmUWc Voiot -ml Tub. Into tk.

l<-t pw ri aa a of tk« W«t Ew: Iod»w

MODES OF UlCIIKO.

Quilou-k&ra, waxing impatient, rtruck the woman with one
of the aforesaid .talk*. She related the affront to her son
who was not present on the occasion ; and he immediately
threatened to take the life of the Quilon-kant The latter
| -reviving the imminent danger li« waa in, fled to Qui Ion,
thinking that the affair would be forgotten in time ; but on
his return, after seven month*, the Chego discovered and
uiurdored him. and then took flight and escaped punishment

The modes of salutation differ according to the ouality of
tlv (►Artie*. When a subject ineeta a Caimal Ragindoor 01
i> i iy other grandee belonging tothe Court, be lowers his sword
placing it with ita point to the ground ; or if he has no sword
taken off his head droan. Before Rajahs or Princes they
must perform a peculiar mode of salutation. They re-cover
their heads and joining the palms of their bands raise them
to the forehead, then separate them and then open and do*-
their fists thrice before their head* The Princes must
make the same oWlaancc to the Rajah as first Prince, but
they are not obliged to uncover their heads. Tlio petty
Rajahs, subordinate to the Rajah of Cochin (those of Man-
gatti, Porcad, A:c.), must thus show tlicir respect to him.
and they must remove their upper garment in his presence
and remain bare shouldered till lie gives them ]>cr mission
to resume it. The Princes of Porcad and Paioer Wing Brah-
ninns, have alone the privilege of being seated in the
presence of tlie Rajah of Cocliin. Tlie former of these, who
is superior both ill tanctity and rank, may sit on the same
couch with the Rajah who takes his liand and places it in
his hosom. There U also a high seat prepared for him by the
>i<lo of the Rajah when lie risite him. These visitations are
' ry 0 X|«nsiva to the Rajah, who lias to jasivide food for
t':.‘ prince* nnd their retinues, amounting to more than lllft
individual*. tho whole time they last or U> give money in
p . ve of food

The worn, n make tlie same olirisancv* a* the men. letting
fnii their veil - *»r coverings, and folding their mins in front
If tho Queen luotlier i* older than tlie Raiab, on hi- lin-t
» i->. to her after his acces-ionr he must bend his liend down
to too ground, and lav ImUi his liands joined together on his
I lead, which is tho h'igle-t mark of respect If the Queen
mother or the eldest Princess of the Royal family isyoungei
than the Rajah, she must perform the same reverence to
liiiv..

The onlirai v grandees and others salute each othei by an

LETTERS »» MALABAR.

inclination of the bead on one side : sometimes the common

E ! fall on one knee before the Rajah, and join thoir
over their head*. Other* embrace each other with one
or both arms. Subjects on their first intnalnction to the
Ibynh lay presents at his feet, as a token of rosjioct. The
Rajah re wants a pram Ice or general who hits done any »|K'cia!
service by the gift of a mmertrl, palanquin [a someroel in
tho Portuguese language means a son screen made of the
haves of tlie cocoa tree or palmyra fastened in a slight
wooden frame]. or, a gold bracelet or earrings. These gut*,
though themselves of little value, are regarded as marks of
grent honour.

The Rajah <»f Cochin in mom respects ranks higher, and
|U*DKWCS more privileges than the Rajahs of Tmviuunre,
t 'olftstri, and the Zanionn. Thus, if these four Princes travel-
ling together, were to approach the house of a Ptilleali, the
Rajah of Cochin must be the first to enter ; and so if they
were to bathe together no one must enter the water until be
has first set foot in it, after which they must all imitate his
proceedings. If a Nair lose caste in any kingdom, no one
lifts power to restore him. except tlie Rajah of Cochin, who
presents him with a guide or vessel of water to drink. It is
not every one who is privileged to approach equally neat
to the Rajah. A Chego must keep a distance of 30 [Stecs,
a Nair may come nearer but may not touch him ; but a
I *u 1 1 call may never he seen in the nlaco, where he i«,
while tho Brahmans have free aece**. ana have the privilege
of preparing every thing, even to hi* food, for him.

When the Zunorin write* to the Rajah of Cochin, or any
of the superior Prince* to each other, the letter must be nd-
d rewed not to tlie Prince, but to Uie diief Rasidoor, who in
Cochin it called the Naicoviti. ami the chief Ra-idoor <if tin
Znmorin is called the Mangatatja. If a Nair bring- a loiter
from hi- Rajah to another, or to the ronimandant, he must
prostrate himself thric* in token of rcvrrrnrc ; a Brahman or
I’attnri is exempt from this cvrouony. When the Rajah «*
employe«l in religious aAura no one may apeak lo him. not
oven a Brahman ; but if any very im|orUnt rircumstanee
occurs which demands h» attention, hr must be informed
of it bv certain signs on the fingers.

And now liaving told you to much of manners of tho
Malabar* in their intercom* togetU-r. pciham von will like
to hear how they conduct tlwm-elvcs in thftir dealings witli
the Europeans. ' In the time of the lortugueK>. tlwre was a

(EREMoNUL OF STATE VISITS.

quarrel between their soldicre and the Naira about tlio right
of way in tlieir casual meetings. Tlie dispute ran ho high
(according to the Portuguese) that at last it w« agreed be-
tween Uw Kajali and the Portuguese Oenend in Chief that
it should be settled by a duel between a member of oaci
|su ty, ami that the conqueror should win the right for his aa-
tociatce. V -r this purpwo the Kajah selected his most able
fencing master, who was well versed in the use of nwonl
and shield. Thu Portuguese abw made choke of the bravest
of his army for his champion, but dittoed him in common
sailor's clothe*, so that if ho ware to lorn, the disgrace might
not fall on the army : however lie prostrated his adversary
three times, and the Rajah, unconscious of Uie decejitiun.
wai very much surprised that a common sailor should dis-
play such dexterity. Since this time, the Naira have al-
ways conceded the right of way to the Europeans, except
in one or two instance* in my time, when they have disput-
ed that right with > ur soldiers, who resisted their incivility
ho valiantly that they have not had courage to repeat il.

When a Rajah visits the town U»e Commandant receives
him at his residence at the foot of the stairs, and leads him
up by the right hand. If a Prince wine to visit him, he is
received on the atcus ; a caimal or other grandee, the Com-
mandant receive* in the hali, wlwre be makes him take a
seat At their first entrance into the town, the Rajahs are
conducted from the gate by two members of the (Molitical
council, with the attendance of armed troop*. One member
of the council and tho chief in t er preter perform this office
for an inferior prince. They arc conducted out of tho town
in the same manner, the prince walks in the middle, or
on the right hand of his conduct.*. They arc also saluted
with artillery, tlm number of discharge* being pro|K>rtioiicd
In their rank. For the Rajah of Cochin, eleven salutes HIV
tirod, for tile other Rajahs of the kingdom nine, for tho
l-etty Rajahs seven, and for other members of tho Royal
fiiniilic*, live or three.

When the Commandant goes to Court, lie is received by
tho Kajah at the foot of the stair*, unless that Prime is in
mourning, in which case the pi l es is performed by the second
Prince, or any other who may lianprn to be at Couit When
deputies from the political rnundl go to court, they arc accom-
I mined by two servants, and may sit dowu with their heads
covered ; but tlie cbief interpicter must stand uncovered

When a now Commandant and Rajah meet for the tint

LFTTEBS FROM MALABAR

time, prcacnta are cxduuigod between them; the Command -
ant presenting gift* prepared by the Company for the pur-
pose, while Uw Rajah load, him with gold chain, and
bracelets, and present, are distributed among hi. suite ill
preitorlion to their rank. The Rajah, fasten Uiuao bnuvlot*
with their own liands oo the anna of those to whom they
present them, which, aa they are rather small often oocen-
aiona iiain, w I know by experience. Some oflho bracelet-
are plain, other, chared. The Company’s girt, consist of
studs, sugar, rure water, spine, he. But as tho Rajah, gene-
rally sell them under their real value, they would be better

rally sell them under their real value,
pleased if money waa given them ini
no disgrace to receive pecuniary gifts.

*e. they w<
instead, as

they doom it

LETTElt XIV.

Cu4om. «l ImwiM .( Ik. k IbbU •< chiUns.

W«*Nn *•

Deak and honoured Mother.

Though it iui :ht wcm hardly consistent with my respoct
lor you to dmc-nd to a minute dawripUon of the costumo,
habits, 4c.. of the women of this country, yet since you have
asked for it. I will devote U.ia letter to satisfying your
curiosity.

The people here are of a different colour from those at
home, for the natives are either black, brown, or of a light
tnwny colour, and the Europeans themselves soon lose their
beauty and become pallid; a fresh bright colour being never
seen, because the delicate veins of the epidermis which give
the n>zy tint, are here destroyed by the heat of the sun.
The woipcn, however, arc not deterred from seeking to make
up for this lora. by the outward adornment of costly apparel
There Is not ono of any fortune who dues not own as many
ns twenty or thirty cheats full of robe*, made of ailk or somo
other valuable material, for it woukl be a disgrace in their
eyes to wear tlie same dress two or three <lny* in succession,
'l'lieir nocks are adorned with necklaces of diamonds, then
earn with car rings, and their fingers with rings of the sumo
precious nloucs. Pearls arc very common with Uiem, and
gold cluii no are worn l*y tho wives and children of trades-
men and soldiers. Perhap-. you will say that this is a slash-
ing luxury, and ask what i* U.e use of all these clothes?
I mt what would you my were they to remind you that
many Dutch and Frisian women till their chests with lim n
which ia must used. Imt b leapt cuvfaUy W»l up, and
never sets day-light e.\cv|4 wlicn it i' grewn so yellow with
ago that it must need* 1 v «uboll

In Cochin lls- women gn grnemlly «• f«s*t; >mt at r.iila-
via, people of even onlinary .h-giw w often rallied in

92 vrm.nr- f*« malabar

sedan* l.y their slave*. whilst the rich travel in coscImds and
these nre *o common there tlat my own Uilor rod. in a
clash When llie ladies go out to walk it i« generally l.y
moon-light, and tlicy are followed by a troop of alnvus. nuilo
mnl female. Irnli* i* certainly a luxurious country for
women: for no aoonrr any aerrant girl arrive from
homo ill Bulavin than alio Iwcuow a lady. i*e*ri« a man
with money, and u immediately mirroundod hy slaves
who run hithor and thither at Iter command. Even
the woman who an* supported by charitable funds
would l»e ashamed b. go out without a slavo. All per-
son* of any pivb-rwion carry a parasol over tlie howl,
to wan I olT the heat of tin: Min, and no woman would like b.
be aeon will tout a slave b> Indd it Tlie universal pleasure,
both of men and women, is betel chewing; and when tlio
women visit each other, a large silver dish ofhatnl is brought
out. with' silver luxes and cups, in which tlie betel loaves
are laid, with areca and line. QtnlainuaM, ketchup, gam-
bler and otlier condiments are often added to give tlie mix-
ture a flavour. With of any rank, all this service

must lie of silver, indeed they would be ashamed bt place
their wine glasses upw any 1-ut silver salver* : the glasses are
then filled with wine, and landed round ui tlie coni | tuny by
a slave. Perhaps you will object b> such pomp and luxury.
Imt custom is second nature, and it is not tlie ^rwession mid
use of such tilings, but Ibeir abuse. that sign if in* anything.
None but fools would Cad any pride in tlrfiu; us for myself
1 am indifferent whether I have them or not
The native women of European rucw are all dressed like
tlie Dutch : but UiC mixed .w half whito races have a tobvlly
different costume They w. ir a vest over the upper |<irt of
the IhhIv, without aleeva* and ojwn in front: over this, a jacket
of Jin.* linen, d. -.'ending below tlie waste, wide in the In sly ;
and tight ill tin- /Jo* van lb -urn I the lower |sirt of tint Ih-Iv
they twist doll is of various odonm, an«l fitsb-n them with
pins in front They w«u uUa sb«-kinss ami slip|K>rs, and
iiang a foldail cloth over tlu-ir shoulder*. rInhiI ii IihiiiI
breadth in width, hanging down half way lock and front
'lids garment they roll » t*Jm : if in frequently liuwlo of
Him stuff edged with gold 'limy wenr no covering

•Hi their Imad*; ami their lair is not plaited. Imt is done up
in a Stiff knot onana iitol with gold hair pins Kumetimes
set with previous atones Tiny w^ir ear ring* and finger
ring* like our women

1UX.WJEMK.YT OF CDILMEX. WKDIMXGX.

*>3

I must, add a word mIkmii the management of Uic children,
which iliflbn in many particular* from Uic custom* of our
country. They do not swaddle their infanta in the wav wo
do; and indeed Uie *waddlingcloUi ia never uaod hore, looao
wrap) ten only being used. Thia custom menu approval,
not only because tho beat renders swaddling inappropriate
to this cliia-te, but bccsuiae it is in itaelf a more healthy
plan. This is tlie reason why so few inen of dwarfish
stature are found in India, whereas they abound in Europe.
It i-s dnubtica owing to tho wuno system and tho greater
coolness and chvuilinosB it indues*. that Uio infanta hero
know nothing of convul sio n s , which affect nearly all our
Hiildnn, more or lem. Tl»ey are careful to wash themselves
and their children very often; and they laugh at our Dutch
and Friealandero. whose cleanliness is expended on their
housca only: but 1 would venture a wager, that if they
could but once f«I Uic cold of our winters, they would not
think washing so indispensable.

And now I will say something about their betrothals and
marriages. In Batavia. U>c*e ceremonies are accom]ianied
with what may truly be called princely pomp and expendi-
ture. So extravagant is U*e ouUay for carriages adorned
with ribbons, for thrones, wodding feast*, and other accessories,
tli, it many incur ruin in consequence. A wedding which oasts
only 800 rix dollars besides dotan and ornaments, is con-
sidered quite shabby. Here it is even more expensive : *>
much so, that a wedding among Uie meaner sort of people
would often put to shame, a like oeromony among our
gmndee* at I ionic. At the betrothal, the youthful |wir are
attended by two couples as witnewu, who inarch behind tho
bride aiul bridegroom in a stately manner. Then follow n
young man and maiden I ■wring the crown, which they
place upon the bride* head: ami then anoUiur ooujdc, carry-
ing lieri*. which they scatter over the betrothed |«ir. A
feast i» given, accompanied with music: mid for tho two
Sunday* alter Uic Iwtrothal. brhlo and bridegroom must
bu visited by all tho |wrwMi* invited A crown issuspendod
before Uie door of the bridegroom to Mokcn his aituatkm:
and in tin* brides bouse a throne is set up. over which hangs
uin/thcr crown: and here Uic y«»nng |wir arc to sit when
they arc married. On the evening before tlic welding, the
bridegroom’" crown is earned through the street* on the
|«nnt* of two swords. a man carrying a nnk«*l sword
in front mn-dcBins follow. together with y»nng iivn liear-

I.KTTERS FROM MAI-AUAIl

ing When they liavc hundred their procession

tli n nigh the street, tlwy bring Uw crown Ui tin* IiimIu'n door,
whore it hang* till the next day. On Sunday afternoon. the
hriilu nii'l bridegroom at»«»|auiiod by Uieir young friends
proceed to the diurdi. and on the completion of the ceremony,
two soldiers, who with other* an: keeping guard in the
church, stand at the door l » invwnt them wrh flro arms
adorned with tlowcrs. for which they receive |»rcscnls in re-
turn. Outside the door stand the crown-man ami crown-
maiden. who (oaten a amall crown with a pan on the bride's
head. Tlaey arc met on their way home by the herb-man and
maiden, who carry Imaket* of lierii* and ornaments made of
coloured | viper, and -strew them before the »l«pa of the ad-
vancing pair. Seated on lier throne, with a bndcn-niaid*nn
each aide, the bride then receives U»e congratulations of the
coni|>nny The rest of the night is «iicnt in music, dancing
and feasting; and as soon as the bridal dance is over, in which
all the company join, the bride is conducted to an elegantly
adorned chamber, and the guests depot.

The women marry at a very early period of life, and arc
to Iw .seen sitting with lnbie* on their knees at an ago when
in our country they would be playing and running about
with children. A girl is considered marriageable when she
lias attained her 13th year; and then all the suitors liegin to
Hock around her Asdic attains w<»man-hood earlier, -so her
bliioiu is im»|M>rtiouab!y sooner over than in our country.

Such, dear mother, is a deocription of tl»c woman in India.
I trust that Oml will *up|s>rt y<m. who have given birth to
eight children, iu your advancing years, I ciui assure you
that my heart is always filled with true atfcctiou towards
you, and with ull terrdernon 1 subscribe myself, fcc.

LETTER XV.

An soeoi.nl «4 Iho Top—. I

PrksU, and Custom*.

There An* « certain Christian people to W found in thin
country of Malabar. Ami throughout the extensive count- of
India, called Topamo*. who cannot »«c reckoned as lielonging
exactly either to the European- or the native*, hut from a
third class. They are a mixed race: tome are sprung from
Portuguese settler, and alavaa, whose children havo inttr-
■nnreiel with blacks: l*ul the greater i*rt nre the offspring
of enfranchised Portuguese slave*. With these we must
also reckon freed slave* of all races: including Christum
slaves, who are chiefly of the Romish persuasion. Their
number is daily on the inemv. These people have n very
good opinion of thems e lves, and if they pome** « little
money know how to make a tim.* slmw with it. They like
to clus* themselves witli the Portuguese, whom they rail.
our jxvpte (Te«r noma genii), though these, owing to theii
native |iri.le, despise them even more than we do. always
styling them Negroes or Blacks The Topaim* however are
no whit discouraged hy UiTs treatment and not only give
themselves Portuguese names hut arc in the led.it of choos-
ing those that belong to the noU.-st Portuguese and Spa-
nish families. They affect very ln.ugl.ty air*. and loach
their children always to address them as "ily Lonl « >»j
/other (Scnhor mei Pai.) .

The name Toms is curiou*. • It is aaraxMOd to U« derived
from two Portuguese wont* To Toi (thou boy) U-eiw-o the
Portuguese in early time*. having taught then language to
the slaves born in their lunue. mndo use of them it* mtor-

, u hnv sHoAnl U. Iim .in<l •)<

* <h-«p •«- V'* <— A-lW, 000 * 1.1 in* of

... la »11 [*ru ot Ifcc <.«■!. y Ii».a "I Whom iu* liwl. n>»
TV* «mn T»p»— U- fallm into dbnn<. Mil It I*

ngolir U-l v. the r rr*,**- lu

.11*1.0 wh—trr tWy n-i"" ' •*. »<*-• I" 1 ™'

ku I sitl. ii.vs.WMy
M Nnliv*. II. I *

9tr

LETTKK* IR..U Val.AH.tlt.

praters in dealing with the native*. nnd were in the habit
of *nviiig •• Tic Pai fulbt aqueT or “you boy any w> mid
W»." There sot-ms to he a glimpse of truth in thin account ;
tor they still mil the oldest anil moat rcapectcd slave*

Other# refer this Word to koc/xij, which in the Midaluir
I align ago signifies a coat; for they wear coat, aliirt aiul
bnmehen. like the Eun>pvam». at likewise a hit, in sign of
their freedom, and the more wealthy among them wear
•I iocs nml stocking*, though more generally they go lwrc-
foot Formerly, when the Comnany first obtained |-*w-
«ion of this place, there wo* a rale that none of the Topnaca
might wear oboes nml stocking or that at any rate they
must pny something to tlie Dtarnnw (or charity fuml) for
the privilege of oo tl »ing. But this rule has (alien into dirtixe.
ns hits also the tax that was paid for carrying a cane. But
in my opinion the origin of this name must not be nacriltod
to koc/mj (coat), hut rather to Toejtay (interpreter) ; Ihhsuist
the race serve* I as interpreter-; between the people of Main-
liar an<l the Christians; and to this day the same office is
exercised by many of them, and i» esteemed a very honour-
able profession.

There are a great many of these- Topazes to Ik- met with
in Malabar, especially on the *c« coast, and in the neighbour-
hood of the European forts and settlements. Several an- to
l*o found in the city of (Vdim, and it* environ* where they
follow various trades. as Inkers, cabinet makers, carpenters,
shoemakers and in short all railings which furnish the
HKXiNuiui of life. In the country they arc often ngri-
inltural labourers. (hiring tlje war Uioy were employed
by the Coni|suiy u* letter carrier*. Tiny arc not to I*.-
IOOn.1 in oar fiiru, except tlint of Oictwa wlicra a company
of tlK-iii is stationed, tin- majority of the garrison however
being European. TIicv air more employe. I by tla- Knglisli
who are usually dcffcii-nt in Euroiown hands

So Mgiilti.l tin* the To|*««n to their religion, which is
I: misli, that il is a work of ioiMflldhililN to ouim 1 1 ih.-m
Their superstitioa nctd> even that of the Portuguese and

• Aci-.nliiip V. Oti-T Titna U <Urir»l Iron I hr !'•«« wul'l

/>-.* A- 4 *,. /.«. <iicnil~* lw.% O-I /&«*« a mu. -W. musk. Iw.. laup.-ie- ;

an intsrwutor. Tho aim*, inlmt m«j with iroprkty tw gin*. U« T.i t u-
4 ; 111.' it lootlxt Umy «»*k -*i*- «»*..( tho Enro|*aii

l.uiicuon*-, till— Ku~lo.li. Kn*«h. IMdi <• At O-hin U»y an

■'■lira (Am <U ImraiM they mu * T-y* .« -ui.U Ul. wbrn»> lli-

..Ih.i li-liw, i -A ii.su Kit.v.ais raA* «- — • ** M***li, Oat i

. nliUv liulaml >4 lU fau-l mh-IM. lUwi.auwr-

CHRISTIAN'S IX MALABAR.

Spaniard#, otherwise the mo*t bigotUd of Papist* In ac-
cordance with the general custom of their church, they have
several brotherhood#, me those of tlio Rosary. tho Ctonoop-
tion, &c. On Good Friday they repair in crowds to their
cl lurches, and flagellate themselves with scourge# niadu of
rope, until the blood runs down The ends of theso scour-
go# are knotted with lumps of wax and bite of broken glass
stuck in, to make the stroke# more painful. Before apply-
ing them, they raise their courage by swallowing huge
draft* of Arrack, till they get intoxicated, and in n very
unlit state for entering on divine service. St. John tho
Baptist's Day, June 24th, is an oocasion of great hilarity.
Tho little children are then dreasod up in garlands -and

called St John’s

green boughs. On the previous evening, called St John's
eve, they let off grand fireworks in honour of tho Saint
(The Dutch at Cochin sometimes indulge in the same dis-
play, but they do it merely for a pastime.) On Good Friday,
they appoint some one to represent Our Lord, and I . aid him
outside the Church carrying tho cross in a sort of dramatic
show. When ill, as a means for recovering their health,
they make vows to the Holy crow, drawing it with flowers,
and burning lamps before it all night These crosses are
act un in the Dublk roads as well as in the Churcltca Some of

they mane vows to tne noiy crow, .rowing it wun no were,
and burning lamps before it all night These crosses are
set up in the public roads as well as in the Churclica Some of
them are held to possess miraculous powere. though since tho
arrival of the Dutch heretics it is granted that their efficacy

arrival of the Dutch heretics it is granted that their efficacy
has very much diminished. At the beginning of the rainy
season in June, a priest gore round to every house, sprink-
ling it with holy water to keep off evil spirits. They have a
hundred other .superstitions, not worth mentioning.

Many of tlieir |wie*ta aw Europeans ; but the vienre of
their churches arc nudly Topaaac* and arc not admitted to
any higher dignity in the church; tho Dutch call them
parish priests. They arc not eligible even to this office un-
lew they iwwew property to the value of a hundred rix-.lol-
lara, for the clerical revenues being insufficient for tlieir sup-
port they must help to maintain Uiemeelvesout of Uioir own
funds. They are mostly very illiterate, of Utin they know

lew they iwwew property to the value of a hundred rix-.lol-
lars, for the clerical revenues being insufficient for tlieir sup-
port they must help to maintain Uiemselveaout of Uiotr own
funds. They are mostly very illiterate, of Utin they know
no more than enables them to perforin mass. 1 whs once

funds. They are mostly very illiterate, of Utin they know
no more than enables them to perforin mass. 1 whs once
told by one of them with whom I wss conversing atxmt tho
adoration of the Saint*, that ho e*mldjustil> the doctrine
by the adoration of the golden calf? This 1 willingly con-
ceded him. Another coming to visit s church or parish. was
asked by the Commandant, who first existed, Chn-t or Urn
Christians ! and in his simplicity made answer. Mk latter.

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

But indeed most of the pried# ordained at Goa an not much
better. One of the Dominican parish priesU, a white Euro-
pean. I'eing iu I vii nen I in yuu* wa# waited on by one of our
visitors of the aide, who. knowing no oUier language, Logon
to con Venn- with him in Dutch. The priest remarked " I
understand the Latin you are apoaking very well, hut 1
don't know it quite well enough u> make answer in it”

The Toposaes have many custom* widely different from
nun. and which they have probably learnt mostly from the
POr tUgu aa a . At the birth of a child the women keep on
Hinging to it. or it would be considered unlucky. They have

3 peculiar marriage Tlie marriage i* more com-

/ arranged by the parent* Ilian by the children, ami it
hap|iens notunfrequently tliat the Irvlcgnmm ban never pre-
viously seen tin* bride: within U»c company's jurisdiction the
ceremony of betrothal takes place in the city, and must be
conducted before ti»e Committee of matrimonial affairs. The
|»ir do not go thither together, but tho bride goes alone,
accompanied by an old woman, usually her mother if die is
living; next follow several of her nearest mafe relative#
and friends. Then the bridegroom arri%*es with a party of
friends carrying shoes and stocking#, and perhaps a sword,
if he choose# to pay for it ; which money, as aliw tliat which
is paid for the some reel of the bride, goes to the poor. The
ap|ieamnce of tlie bride is somewhat strange. She walks
gem-rally very lame, lieing quite unused to the slippers
which she now wears for Uic first time. Besides tho
tunic and the coloured cloth, in which articles of cloth-
ing her drew resemble* tliat of the mixed races (Myaticen),
she wears a silken veil, red or given, thrown over her shoul-
der from behind, and falling in front below the waist. Be-
sides this, tlie bride Is adorned with many gold chains and
Inner let'. On her head she weani a cro wn , within tho cir-
clet of which her Imir is gathered into a knot, and from
which HcvrRil little chains dr|. ud Hair pins set witli
various coloured stone* are set in llw idaiU of her hair.
The mnrriuge ceremony is performed in tin- Romish chureli,
with a license from U* 1 Commandant When the bridal
pair reach tlie door -if their house on their return from
chureli, they are sprinkled witli roae- water, and then follows
a marriage feast, when the guests cat in gnod earnest, being
generally a hungry act.

When a husband and wife gn out together they never
walk *ide by ride, a* we do. hut the huslcmd walks first, and

CHRISTIANS IS MALABAR.

the wife follows I liave observed this custom also some-
time* among the Portuguow here. When a Topnaa dies
within the city, hia body is laid on a kind of litter covered
with a cloth on which a large croaa ia embroidered, and ia
then carried out of tbe city, to be laid in coowoeratcd ground
in the inland of Vypeen. When Topaaaea are in mourning
they not only wear black coata. but wear them inaide out
(having no lining to them) and let their beard* grow.

They are idle aa wall aa proud, and will adjoin work an
long aa they have any money. Hence there arc few wealthy
men among them. They are naturally fonder of tlio Portu-
guese than of the Dutch, though the former abandoned
them shamefully to our mefev when the city changed
hands Tbe unanimity of religion, the resemblance of
names, and tbe notion that they are sprung from the
name stock, make these poor creatures cling to their former
masters ; and I have no doubt that iu the event of a war
they would side with the Portuguese rather than with us,
although at present they are under our protection, and are
shielded by the Company against any pretensions on the
part of the Heathen, who have no jurisdiction over them,
for when they commit crimes, they most be delivered up to
the Company and punished according to our law.

This is all that is worth noting about tl»e Topasses ; and
1 hope this description will give you satisfaction.

LETTER XVI

!>«Kri|4Mi rf U-» T W or Syrian On4U..-IVIr IMaaU-Mmn. of

bring! ng thorn Uk* to U» nth l viy-TMT a.t»|o||y, sad liUtory.

The Christian world in general, tuid you c*|ic«;inlly \*liu
write Church historic*. take gmat inUiutl in the piogtvwt
of Christianity Among the luwUieu through the eflorto of
(iwpel preacher* : it will Uinvfore be not inappropriate in
the nawnt epistle to give you a veracroux account of Uto
St 1 homos Christiana* such aa I iiave been enuhld to
gather partly from [icnumal enquiry and partly from their
own writings, leaving out of bight the narratives of other
persons.

To have a clear notion of the people in question, yon
must understand that all tlx- Christians in Malabar are
divisible into three classes: viz., the Europeans, the princi-

• "It is probable that * great part pi the Ctirinll— of 3L Thomai in India
tome float Pare* or Ch a lrto a. The ntco, kwn. emonnw aad books of
throe Chrioda^. bur canton t amrla of * CWUair or Pcreian Mtreclion.
Though Utr Mslatar dialect U u »«« the nv tbrr w«Rnr of tha ChrtoUan*
of Si. Tb.«. ia In-lia, ttoy. howorer, rrerl .y CfcaMa*- |hr»-a taliw thay
■puk of sacred ami nlfvw object*. Il a, thrccfcc© Dot imr>rol*liU, that
• ccnrtdctultfe Bomber of Christian. wsnt (non Porto. and Cluktoa to Indio,
(ltd united tbeim.1'*. to the mail loly of the .*«iaal Indian Christiana.
»!»' snasatare wore l inriftj oomtid to ihr flnt-liau faith I)- the Apoatlr
Thu man at MtoUpari. which Ibay waaioaowdr owwitor aa tin' that ftr.l
*tvo t.irth to CU/Ltiantty to li.m Urt- navch .. attain, that all tbrw f’liria-
liana In the year IStrj, at stock |-n-d Vaan. U. • Gmab tuaia a aocoad lima
to Malabar, am Krstariaaa. Itocac .4 I tore dam.1 Uk> elivniitr of tin, -l,
and e-"lld mil nulun* tna\cra , Wn<, — i tin- <4 Art liu-l. they ahowol a girtUr
rororanto f.., «h« tody c— . TWr had bo other tUrreamnl* than Hn|*«ni,
the l.l.t buppar, ant tba iw-ii.a of Piwata. Th*j- hcliorod that tho
•alia of Uia ]u* .or. no* a. tatted toto thr |-rarn» of (i.-l hoforv th«< Until
iinlicnwnt, ami that ull that |»r.<«l thay wore to remain an Kton In tint mr
1JM. Umm ChHatiaoa. by U- aiaet.*. A Atoai. M-w-/. ArehUdiop of Qua.
»oro uaitol to the l altoto Chai.ch, A. *» vwtoW -I Uio -rtonUl
Chueehaa, wore. howsorr, iato.1 K*d aot-ag lU.n to Uk Counc.1 at Udttm,«.
and aa thar by tort- foeiod tba artotrery omdart c4 thr 1‘orlugurto itwup
porta Ua, thar retard a riolont OaUn agamd tb*m . and in a tumultuary
rr-ngrraa, bald on Itenadd May, ifii, at A tan gall*, at Wngth fvmullj
aopuraled (root th» Catholic Churcta. - - B.BTOLoaro * Eaat Indie.,

SYRIAN CHRISTIANS.

101

Uil of whom are tins Portuguese. the English, and the
iMitoh ; tint Tupaam, win. * firing from mixed races of whites
and Indiana; and the native Christian* of unmixed race.
Theau last are again divided into Uie new Christians, con-
sisting moaUy of convert* from the low cantos, made by tlio
Portuguese priest* after their arrival in this oountrv, ami
known by tho names of GiKarya*, Mocqua*, Quifon
Kwu*. Ac. and the old Christian*, called Chriatian* of St
Thornaa, of whom it is my puqmae In-re to weak? We
must first notice their different mutilations; lor they are
sometimes called St Thomas' Christian*, and sometimes
Syrian Christians. The former name is derived without
doubt from the Apostle St Thomas, who is said to have
preathed the Gospel in these part*; a talc, in my opinion,
not to be scoffed at. seeing that it is asserted in tho toadi-

• The tradition d 8«. TV-m* ha.iug pwM It. g-i-l is India i. Uiu.
rekilrd by Oibtxn (C. 47% " Aft edag to U- kg"* d antiquity. the £o.p*I
w*. pr-u*bed m India St. lb— At the cod of tb* uinll. century. his
alirioo. |Wrk.ps in tbc L-.rV,«rt*,d rf Mairv. «*. devoutly Tiutod by tho
aniba»*lon of Alfred, and »b*if i»t-"0 with a cargo of poarif and opioes
rewarded the m*l of tho Kngfc»h E»-««reb. -ho Mtcrtniixd lb- large* pro-
ject* of Bade and <&ao>v«y. Wb on lb« Portuguese fir* opened the na.igo-
ti.a to India, to. Chrv**n • d t>t_ Tbcnas bad been o#at*d for ages on tho
CM* Of MaLabor, and the differeooe of Iboir <h*r«cl« and cokwr atUMad tho
mixture of a foreign race la ana*, a art*. and pua-bly in virtue, they ex-
celled the native* of Hfe d. n a r. s; the huatnodmen cultivated the paliO-U.*,
I bo merchant* -ere enriched by lb* (*W» u-t*. lb. aoUietx preceded the
XsifS «* noble, of Malabar, and their hereditary privilege. ««* reopected by
tho gratitude or the fear of tbo kin* of Cochin and tb* Zamurin hinMolf . They

tho grail I ud* or the fear of tb* king of Cochi* and the Zamurin himaolf. They
ackoo— '.edged a Geo bo aovorrwo. bot they -ere governed even in temporal
concern-.. by the Bubo,, of AngamaU He .tall «-vBd bit ancient title of
nieUojv'llUn of IwLa. but hi. real j.u-dk**j® -a* rxrrrioed in fourteen lino-
died L'tnirahsa ami be -a. eotcutod with tho care of two hundred tbo.nund
-mb. Tb.... rdmi- wouU b*.o re— dreed them Um Im-t and meat ouidial
itlle* Of tb. l'orl-tguoae, bui tb* — 1— V— *■*■> ducemcd in the ChrtaUana
of St Thnoaa lb. .mjardonaU# g-dt -4 brvey and obtain ln.Ui»<l of own-
tog thotnoolvr* the subject* of tb# Kooaan lamlrt. U.o .|«rilual awl temporal
iw.nimh of the glob*, they 4.lher«d. Uk. the- ..«-n-a, In the wusiimnl.m of
tbc Nratnrtaa |..trorcb. aad the Bubof- -hm.. b* oniau-d at M-«d, travem
e.1 the .lo^er. of the -a and land to roach tbnr diorow on the ...ft of Ma'a

I. B. lu Uwir Syria* liturgy, «b* i-mr- d T W f and Nr.tcnu* wore
dam b *— i*iwli h they united (Mr odonUo- of the fen 1-raoat of

II. ri.ti the lido of X ilher of CM - - ■««.« tether ear. and they ti.oa.urrd
with acniMilaua aeaitc* tbo b--— tool tbc Y ..gin Mary, -b no U- aniwntUioa
of the LaUna bad of— exalted UiWnakd* 1* * 4 " < 7 “ S*r MMM
wo. Bra promoted to th- dwc.pieo of M. Thom** the, iodm.-nUy axcUirnwI,
" We are CfeM*** out tdeUtor. T asd th«. -mple derotioo -*a content

with lb* reovr^-m of tb* ctmo.
ha.1 left them in unaorano# of lb*

year., and th«r coo term He w
-....Id n,.ol|y tke

t lac first can of the minuter, c-

— tnp'- derotto® «aa content
dir- from the -*-t*ro world,
or cmuptioiM, of a Uiwwand
I— ctice of the fifth century,
lanmt or a pndataol It wa-
nt all conrnpoiJcuoc will, tho

102

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

tionii of the uhl Christians boUi of Malabar and of Coro-
inamlel. which agree in indicating a certain *|»>t whore ho
|, reached. '11mm peo|4« ore ako frequently called Syrians,
IJcauwe for several centuries before tlic arrival of the Portu-
guese their Church.* Iiavc cxiaU-d under the Government
of Syrian Bidiop* who Iiavc been sent out uj> to tlx- present
time; and tliey make uw of the Syriac venuon of tin- Bible.

Among these St Thomaa' Chriatiaiu may be distinguish-
ed, on Hie one hand, thoae who have remained oomUnt to
their tint frith, and on the other hand the ApmUtu*. not
few in number, who have embraced the doctrine* of Home.
The Papist* call the timt chew adiiwnatios, and place them
in the same category with the Christian* of the tlreok
Church : but we might with much more justice apply dhat
term to the second class, who have abandoned the faith of
their fathers.

The St Thomas' Christian* living along the mountain
range, have many Churches there: but of these several wore
seized by tlie Homan Catholic* in the time of tlic Portu-
guese. and in some the service is performed by Syrians and
Papists indifferently, not a little to the grief of the former,
who are scandalized’ at the multiplicity of images introduced
by their rivak Of this feeling I was myself a witness at Tek-
kenkoer. where on my entrance into the sacred edifice, the
Bishop then in residence gave vent to his abhorrence of them.
They resemble the other inhabitant* of Malaliar in costume,
but wear more clothing. A veil or cloth is often worn above
the forehead, wound round the hair. Tlieir dwellings are

M hu B»W. ajpO-i « lAa pai**.. o( li.c

y ■bayrtnl. — hy lb. iM.rr of the

r , U- MU of tba wllbwlo f AIcjU do M.uc-rt. arch-

liklvip of U..V. In hi. M»A4l (iHiUs of tba oM of M.UW. TIi. -ynod
of tHimi-r. U obU h« prrt>fad. o— U- pa... wort of U* roanum,
i u "I r%.-wMlr lb. Jaadria* owl .b.^w of lb. Itn-on f-U.ir.l.,

Mild f-TR^Uac Mitaatw lb- u f

Ion, .r. T>.. -ww-y .f Th.-!~r. art N.-i.-o. ojad-MiMl, «id
M.liUr »u rad Mad .w.U« ih. .1 ... 1 , 1 — -f tba I’.t-. •>< «*»• 1W.V* on I of
Iha Jaaoiu. win kmoJwl lb. « of Aagonula or Ciaas-or* Hilly >«•- of
-mU-la and bypoam, -a.. ,.u-»U, — b-«d. l»l a. a»n mOh
■« Kminia .« brt.u by Aa o»ra«. art trtulrv id tb. Dulrt. lh-
Na.l..mii. aowrlad anlb rtt-w art rtact Iba rtipi.a >5 trtir f.lliiv. I ha
J.mnU war. incapibJ. of dafartl* lb. po*.r wnkh they bad abo-nl: U.0
un of forey ih-mrt CbmtMM w^ pcMod asuo-t ibMr UjUn*
art Iha In, lion An:W-««l uaumad the d-ncM of Ih-W till • f«-h .op
|Jy pi Synac a*«ini. rt-JJ ha obwmrt from Hi-

f- b™ , 'f U rtb«*mf 0 rti».t«. oa Iba oahprt of lb- Symo ChnrtUn., w- L»
Cbrorr Ci’iiliinmn. daa Irt~. art Grtde'i Church Hirtory of MabW. H T».

SYRIAN CHRISTIANS.

aeparate from those of liic other inliahitanU. consisting of
hamlet* or village# in which they live together, tin- house*
being a mall and mean. It seems that they keep very strict
genealogical record-*, and they will neither marry nor in any
way intermingle will* the new low caste Christians, living
themselves mostly ComUmIc Xuiros. tliat U. nobility of thn
Nair caste, in token of which they generally carry a "Word
in the hand, as a mark of dignity.

Their pri.at* or u-aclur* mostly wear while linen Lrouaant
luuiging wide over the knee, and over them an ample iubo
of white linen or some other material, descending to thu
knees. Ou Uieir hoods tliey generally wear a black cap
shaped like a sugar loaf. Tlie neck in adorned with a rosary
of mbit* coral, and in the hand tliey cam' a painted cane,
much longer than our walking sticks. Like the heatlien,
they generally go barefoot, knowing nothing of shoes and
stockings. They are uncultivated and ignoraut of the man-

ners of society, being in this respect inferior to the Topuss
priests who nave become accustomed to Europeans, and
know something of tlie acts of court* »v.

Besides their priest*, tlie St Tltoina*' Christians have
Bishops, whoexerciae supreme jurisdiction over their churches.
At present there are two. Mar Cahriel mill Mar Thomas,
who do not agree well together, as cadi of them, especially the
latter, claims authority over the oilier. Mar fiJn iel, « white
man, and sent hither from Bam!*! i* aged and venerable in
appearance, and dresses nearly in the same fashion as the

appearance, and dresses nearly in the same fashion as the
Jewish priest* of old, wearing a cap Cvdiioiicd like a turban,
and a long white bean! He is courteous and (lod-fearing,
and not at all addicted to extravagant poinp. Round liw
neck he wean, a gulden crucifix. He lives with the utmost
sobriety, attaining from all animal food. His house*, rather
a large one for tlie habit* of Us- Malabar people, is situaU-d
on u hill in Uie kingdom of Tekkrukoci. He bolds the
Ncstorian doctrine respecting tin- union of tlie two natures
in our Saviour's icnwn Mar Tlioma*, Uie other Bishop, is
n native of MnlaUir. He is a black man, dull and slow of
under s ta n d in g. He lives in great state ; and when ho name
into the dty to visit the Commandant, he was attended by
a number of soldiers I waring swords and shields, in imiUtion
of the Princes of Malabar. He wears on his head a silken
«»v|, ••mbroideml with cromea. in form much resembling
that of the Carmelites. Hu is a weak-minded rliodomon-
tftder, and lx mated greatly to m of being an Kutyclimn in

1(>* LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

his cmd, accusing the rival Bislwp of bcreay. According
to his own account, he lias forty-five churches under his own
nuthority ; the remainder adhering to Bishop Gabriel. And
thus we m> that tlirae St Thom**' Christians arc divided
into two parties : a drcumsUnoe of which the Romish
priests do not fail to take advantage.

A donor Kxamination of tluwe people will oonvinco ua
that tiicy an; Christians rather in uiunr than in reality.
The Priest" themselves are stolid and ignorant, most of
them unable to read more than certain formularies setting
forth their times of prayer and other duties. Nor can any
correct account lie given at U»e present day. of their confes-
sion of faith, their services being a medley, partly borrowed
from tho heathens among whom they liVe, and whose fellow
country -men they are; partly from the Papists, to whom
very many of them liavc gone over, and with whom they
have several churches in common; and partly from the
Greek or Syrian Christians, by whose Bishops they are
governed, and whose opinions they adopt I have witness-
ed their celebration of tl*- laird's Supper. The consecration
was performed in the native language, by a priest before the
altar, with a number of ceremonies, in this respect resemb-
ling the Romish man; but in essentials tliey are orthodox,
as they do not allow that the bread is changed with the
liody of the Lord, and affirm that it is broken only in re-
membrance of His death. They likewise give the cup to
the laity, though their inetltod of distributing tin; elements
differs slightly from our*, tl*.* Priest Liking the bread ami
dipping it into the wine, and tlien placing the pieces in the
mouths of the Communicant* one after the otlier. They
receive kneeling, with napkin* round their nocks.

It would not h® impracticable to liring over tlicao people
into tho right way by suitable measures. But this in not a
work to no accomplished by a.Cliaplaiii whose duties arc
assigned Li the town of Cochin ; for these people dwell in
the mountains and are rarely son except when tiicy como
in to procure nweasari.-* A knowledge of the Mnlnlwir
language, the only one they speak, would also lie indi»|siinn-
hie. and this languageas very difficult, and rerpiires s man's
entire tlevotion to it. having a great abundance of worels
and letter*, of tho latter no leas tlian fifty -one. It is more-
over divided into three dialects ; the Tamil, which is tile
easiest, and Is spoken in Ceylon and Coromandel ; the com-
mon Malabar, spoken in these |»uVs and the Txmnktrdu -

syriac cnrarnn Christianity in malabar. lo.»

mial. tlio language of U.e learned. in which the Brahmins
write the niyaUrriea of their religion.

Should the Fast India Company at any time seriously
undertake the conversion of Uwwe peoples it would be re-
quisite to send out two or three young students of Divinity,
well instructed in the Syriac tongue, to reside among them,
having with them interpreters, through wlmm they might
acquire an adequate knowledge of Um> native language
nnd he enabled to use it in their preselling. There should
also be a seminary at Ceylon for the instruction of na-
tive youths, and their training as preachers. It need not
lie supposed that the people would be averse to such a
measure ; for besides the claim it would give them to the
Company's protection, they shew their favorable disposition
even now, by offering their children to be educated by us.
This I know from my own experience. When I had dis-
cussed the principal doctrines of our Faith with the Bishop
of whom I spoke before, be was so much pleased that he
wished to entrust me on the spot with two youths to be
brought up in accordance with those doctrines. Some of
theso Christian*, when they visit Cochin, offer me their
customary salutations with every appearance of esteem.
Perhaps too, the Company's interest* might really be fur-
thered by the course suggested, seeing tliat these people,
besides being numerous, are generally speaking of a martial
turn ; not to mention that the principal pepper mervluuita
who supply the Company, are to be found among them.

It wifi not be useless, nor will you take it amiss, if I
include in this letter a somewhat remarkable acoount of the
origin and spread of Christianity in Malabar, which ban
been sent me by Bishop Mar Gahriet, written in the Syriac
language The title runs a» follows “ The antiquity of
the Syrian Christians, and Historic*! events relating to
them.

" Fifty- two years after the birth of the Messiah, the holy
Apostle Thomas arrived at Mattaoorc on the ooaat of Coro-
mandel. preaching the Gospel and founding Churches there.
Passing from thence u> Malabar, the holy man landed on
tl»e island of Maliankarre. (situated between Cmnganore
and ParoeV preached and taught, and built churches in that
island, and likewise at CoUacay. Kepolym. Ookkomangakm,
Pernetea, and TiroeuangotU ; and having finished his work
In the**- parts and ordained two priests, returned to Un-
land of the Pandics (aa the natives of Coromandel are called)

106

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

to tench the people there. But whilst he was thus occupied,
the Apostle wua pierced by the Heathens wiUi *|.car*. and
thus ended hi* life In the mono of a few yean, all tlie
priest* in Hindustan and MaUlor, dioil ; and numy yoaiM
lUterwanl*. a Totnuuir called Mamuka wamcr, an enemy to
the Christian faith, arrived at Malia|»ore. performing many
miracle* to hinder it* progrea*. And many of the principal
Christian* giving I teed to him. foreook Christianity and
followed this false teacher Mainukawaaaor. In those day*
certain persons came from Uindowy or Bindoatan, who
were not disposed to ahandon the poo|ilo of Malalwr, and
who allied thciu*vlviw with tlie believers, that ia, the Chria-
tians, who luid remained constant, in number about 160
families or tribes. Time men taught for many yaara in
Malabar, but there were few among them who hail know-
ledge. because they were destitute of pastors ; and therefore
inoat of them ended in becoming heathens, and hail all
tilings in common with the other heathens. This caused a
second apostacy; so that out of the 160 families. 96 adopted
the heathen superstitions, 64 only adliering to tlie true faith.
Now in those days there appeared a vision to an Archpriest,
at Ocrghoi, in consequence whereof certain merchants were
sent from Jerusalem by command of the Catholic authori-
ties in the Hast, to see' whether there were here any Nazn-
rcncs or Christiana. These |«cr»>n* have arrived here with
“hips, joined all tl»c Christians from Maliaiikarrc, a* far as
Ticruwangotta. treated them as brother* and strengthened
them in the faith; and having taken leave of tlie 6+ fami-
lies. set sail und returned to Jerusalem, and related to tho
Catholics in Uiat |4acc their adventures in Malabar. After
this, several priori*, student*, and Christian women and
children came bitlicr from Bagdad. Nineveh, and Jerusalem,
by onler of the Catholic Archpriest at Ocrghai, arriving in
tho year of the Messiah 7*5. in onm|*ny with tho merchant
Thomas: and having mailn acquaintance witli tlie 6* fiiiili-
lies, Uiuy hcuimc united ami lived in roncord one with
another. At this time tho fuuum* Kiniwror Chernm Toiou-
nutl wa* reigning over the whole of Malalmr. To him the
now coiners went, and when they informed him of tlie cause of
their arrival, tlie King was well pleased . and gave tlicm pieces
of ground in tlie territory of Oanganore to Istild Churches
and shop* upon, that they might pursue their trade*, at tho
same tiroo lie grunted the Christian* royal marks of honour,
and permission to carry on their trade throughout the whole

CURISTIAKITY IK MALABAR.

107

country no long an the sun and moon should si lino, as may
lie wen to thin day in their document* written upon copper
plates. In consequence of this, the Christians poese* in tho
territory of Cranganore East. Went, North and South, nvo-
ral churchee. bemdea *72 ahopa and dwelling houw* built
round them ; and they lived in peace and unity for several
year*. In thia period, by order of the Catholic Patriarch
of the East, many groat teachers arrived in Molalar, from
Bagdad. Nineveh. Jerusalem and several other places, who
assumed authority over the Christians of the country. This
state of things lasted until a separation took place among
the Christiana of Orwaooee. in the year of our Lord 823,
And then Mar Saboor, Mar Bo toe, and Sc boor Iiwo, came to
Quilon as teacher*. They went to visit the King Sjak
liawiosti. with present*, and built Churches and shops at
Quilon. In these and similar ways, the chief pastors came,
teaching and instructing the people of Malabar. In tho
year 1500, when U« Portuguese flrst appeared in Malabar,
where they afterwards obtained a footing, there came, by
order of the Catholic Patriarch, four teachers, by name
Mar Mardina. Mar Jacob, Mar Thoms, and Jene Allay,
who governed the Christians and built many churches.
After tlie death of these four teachers, another; called Mar
Abraham came to Malabar, about the year 1550, whereupon
the Portuguese posed a decree that henceforth no Catholic
teachers should come thither, and placed guards everywhere
to seize and put to death all who should attempt it Mur
Abraham was captured, but escaped through God's incrcy,
and continued to teach for many years, and built several
churches; after which, he went tho way of all flesh. After
tliat time the road was dosed to the Syrian priests, and the
Christians experienced n want of pastors; wliidi the Por-
tuguese perceiving, a Vicegerent and Bishop called Alex to,
ciuno to the city of Cochin in the name of, ami with autlio-
rity from tho Pope of Rome This Bishop took a grout
deal of trouble to bring the Syrian Christian* into subjoc-
tion, and seeing no chance of effecting his object, the Porlti-

S c ho gave to the King of Cochin SO.tXHI ducats, and with
e help of His Highness persecuted the Christians who
dwelt in his dominions, for three whole years. Tbe Chris-
tians then, unable to endure the persecution longer, submit-
ted to the Bishop, and thus became reconciled with the
Portuguese. Shortly afterward* the Syrian manners and
customs underwent a change: the priests were forbidden to

108

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

marry ; and for about 53 years the Syrians followed the
same customs aa the Portuguese. In the mean tune a priest
called Mar Matti cam* to Maliapore sent by the Catholic
Patriarch. The Portuguese apprehended him and brought
him into the city, and afterwards dragged him to the harbour
nnd cast him into the water. On hearing this, the Chris-
tians of Mallhar assembled in the church of MarTanchcri.
took counsel together, bound themselvm by oath, and thus
threw off the Portuguese yoke from their nocks ; having
first written and signed a letter declaring that from that
time forward and for ever, they would have nothing more
to do, for good or evil, with the Portuguese. Meanwhile
the Portuguese Bishop went to Cranranore, wrote secretly
to the Cassanario* and Christians, and sent messengers with
present* consisting of fine silk stuff*, gold ornaments and
jewels ; and those who were allured by_ these things and
also by fair words, and promise*, went over secretly to that
Bishop. The Portuguese and those who belonged to their
party, filled the hands of tho Prince in whose country the
Syrian Christians dwelt, with gifts and materially injured
the latter by sundry vexation*, confiscations and deeds of
violence. And in the days of this persecution, the upright.
God-fearing, justice-loving, and peaceable Dutch were sent
to Malabar by the inspiration of Almighty God and by order
of the East India Company, under the command of tho
noble Lord Admiral Ryklop van Goens, and like as the
heathen were driven out of the land of Isso Biranon Kiniui
[Canaan t] so have they driven the worse than heathen Portu-
guese out of Cochin and other cities and fortresses of Mala-
bar ; and through Divine Providence the Syrian Christians
have been from that time forward protected and defendod
from them, and their pastor* have again visited this coun-
try without let or hindrance. In tho beginning of the
year 1700, the Bishop Mar Symons, sent by the Catholic
Patriarch of tho East, arrived in India, being appointed to
Malabar. This man gave notice of bis intended arrival by
letters to the Syrian Christian*, which happening to fall
into tho hands of the Carmelite* and Josuita, they accord-
ingly placed sentinels everywhere, captured the Bishop, and
led him prisoner to Pondicherry where they kept him in
iron* After him. in the year 1705. tho chief teacher. Mar
Gabriel, came to this land; and since that time most of the
Syrians have adopted the Cburrh customs of the Port uguese,
subjecting themselves to several ceremonies, and condemning

CHRISTIANITY IN

109

the marriage of the Priests ; and that out of the 6* churches,
twenty have remained on the aide of the Carmelites. and
44 on that of the Syriana : but a* we enjoy U»e favour of
the Lord Co mm a nd a n t, we hope tliat all this will be re-
stored to the old footing, and this is what wo now humbly
| -ray of hia Excellency and hia Council, trusting that they
will not turn away their face trozn ua And therefore wo
pray God to snare them in good health and all welfare, and
to give them Meaning and prosperity."

LETTER XVII.

Of lb* Ibxnui CsltaUc P rfasU hi MaUW, t>l (Mi Conmu »m<»g lb*

Tlio Christians of Malacca, Coromandel. and Malabar, are
incvtUy of tlio Romish persuasion. with the exception of a
small number of our co-religionist*. consisting chiefly of
Dutch, and their descendant* of mixed race. In each of
thcae coun tries there is but one Reformed minister, while
thousand* of RomUh priest* arc found along thia coast,
covering the land liko locusts: most of them arc vcjy poor,
ns their Churches here do not |«>*»» the income- they enjoy
in Europe, and their congregations are generally indigent.
Them priests are of two classes, the natives, and the Buro-
peans, of whom the last are most respected.

You may judge of their power in Malabar, when you hear
that that country contains one Archbishop and two Bishops.
The Archbishop lias authority over the Christian* in the
mountain district, from which he derives his title; his resi-
dence is generally at Ambekatti, a few leagues from Cochin.
Tl«e Present prelate is a Jesuit, a Spaniard by descent,
muned Antonio PeimentcL Another Jesuit enjoys tho
title of Bishop of Cochin ; he lives at Quilon. These two
prelates receive their appointments from tlio King of Por-
tugal, the Pope continuing them ; as we may suppose, they
are the craftiest spies of the Portuguese monarch, prying
into tho ylfairs of U»c cm n| winy. and iiubuiug Uie luitivcs
with deep aversion to the Du tele The comjwny ha* no

C to drive them out, not possessing any authority in
countries. We cannot but wonder at tho manner in
which our former commandant* received them priest* ; thoy
saluted them with a display of arms and lit mg id cannon,
showing to them the same honour* as to kings, thereby
grieving all true Protestant*, whilst tlio Romanist* were
extremely delighted, to see their Bishoj-i so much more

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS.

Ill

honoured than our chaplain*. Any one can boo with what
purpose thin waa done, who remember* how Melfuthnesa and
love of monoy prevail throughout the world. Anotliernbunu
existed under the government of Commandant Kctcl, name-
ly, that the Korn uli pneaU were allowed not only to viait
condemned criminals of their persuasion in Cochin, but
oven to accompany them to the scaffold. The present com-
mandant Horton berg. who is a man of noble character, ami
extremely averse to auch proceedings, has done away with
theao irrvgulajitie*. and restrains tlmr inaolcnoo.

Beside* then two Biahopa there ia anotlier, wlm style*
himself Bishop of Cranganoor. and the aurrounding dis-
tricta ; he ia a Carmelite, appointed by the Pope alone, and
ia under the Company’* protection ; the State* General hav-
ing conceded to the Emperor the right to appoint auch a
prelate, which right he has handed over to the Pope.

There ia no fear lest thia Bishop should make common
cause with the Portuguese. On the contrary, he has always
been their enemy, for the Portuguese king having assumed
the right of ecclesiastical patronage, cannot quietly ace a
Bishop settled here without his consent ; ao that this prelate
and his clergy shun the Portuguese, knowing that they would
gladly get rid of them and send them hack to Europe. The
Portuguese, and the Juwita combine also to intercept their
letters from Europe, as well as the money which is sent
Ultra from Rome. In consequence these clergy are always
at variance with the Portuguese Bishops, and a wise Com-
mandant with due caution, might Uirough them disoover
the measures of the Portuguese clergy. The residence of
this Bishop and Ui» Prireta is at Warapoli, three leagues
from Cochin, where U*cy have a convent and a neat church.

There ia no likelihood of Uieir making many adherents,
for their poverty causes tl»em to be lield in small esteem by
tho native princes; whibt the Jesuit*, on tho contrary, are
rich, and astute in all their proceeding*, and have conse-
quently acquired great influence over Uiat venal race.

From this description you will understand tlie present
state of Christianity in Malaliar. whore superstition reigns
supremo, and no human moan* ran lie devised to spread the Re-
forniod faith among tho native Papists: |iartly. bcQMMO Uicy
are stii|>id and incapable of understanding any reasoning;
and partly. Iwcause the Romish Missionaries have roused in
thorn a mortal hatred against our religion, which they carry to
such an extent, that they will not dignify us with the name of

112 LETTERS PROM MALAfiAfl

Christian*. always meaning a Roman Catholic when they
speak of a "Christiano." They in vented a thousand calumnies
against uh, such a*. that wo deny tho Divinity of Christ,
&*•., and t*-ll all manner of fictions to mislead the ignorant
people. Thus a certain Portuguese General, van Timor,
who was at Batavia, had the effrontery to assert that ho had
seen there ono of tho grade* tniraclea in tho world for the
convention of heretic* ; namely bow a atone Croat grew on a
bench outside a certain house in the RnemaUkkcn. an.l iu,
often aa it waa cut down, sprung up again of lUolf ; now it
is certain tliat this » aa gtvat a lie aa can be. for I. and
thousands besides, have walked through that street every
day, without seeing anytliing of the kin*L In the same
way, I was asked by a Lutheran merchant of Hamburgh,
who had come from Portugal to Oua, and thence to Teli-
cherry. whether there was here a miraculous arch, for he
had been told as a certain truth, that thore was such a Por-
tuguese building, which the Commandant had sent severs I
men to destroy without succew, and had at length placed
guns before it to shatter it. but it still remained standing ;
mid when I made a face at the story, he answered that it
was believed by the most intelligent people in the place.

You-will wish perhaps to know the further reason why the
Romish religion is spread so widely over the coaatof India,
while our reformed faith has struck such small root* there.

First, you must observe, what I have mentioned before,
the great number of Romish Pricat* in this country, both
thoee who have been licought up here, and those who
come from other places, especially Ooa, which may be called
the mother and seminary of the Romish priest* in India
Half the puliation indeed of that city consist* of clergy,
who are much more numerous there than soldicra. and
are not only sent from Europe in ships each containing
*0 or HO of various onion, but are also ordained at <Jo»
itself in great number* ; ami as it is impossible! for tlirin
all to obtain a livelihood there, they spread tlieinsclv©*
throughout the whole country In Uie islands, on the con-
trary. where the East India Com] any .are master* of tho
seaport*, few or no Roman Catholics are found ; and the
Company have there several chaplains and semi Ham's, for
the instruction of youth, which do not exist in these part*.

Secondly, we must take into consideration, that the Ro-
mish worship is much more attractive to those who arc
converted from heathenism, than the reformed ; for where

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS.

tin: latter command* men to worship God in spirit and in
truth, tho former has rite* and c*reinoni<» resembling thoon
of the heathens They both worship images, though those
of the papists are beautiful, and thoe** of the heathen*
frightful and monstrous; both have their saints or minor
deitiea, both have lights in their churches, both make vows
to their images, and adorn them with flowers; and thin
great similarity, no doubt makes the transition to tho
Ogmish persuasion easy to these people.

In the third place we must add, that except the St
Thomas’ Christians, all those who are converted by the
Roman Catholics are either the slave children of Christians,
like most of the Topasses, or of the lowest sort of heathens,
nope being higher than Chegoa Few brahmins, chetriahs,
or sudras adopt their religion; indeed, we might suppose
that the low castes do so generally in order to escape tin-
contempt in which they are held by their nation, for when
they become Christians they are more esteemed, and may
even come to the palaces, which they might never approach
before. There are also many among these new Christians,
who come over to that religion, because they have lost caste.
;uid are dishonoured among their own people ; a class of
persons who would not be lightly received among us. Tho
priests also make very little circumstance about tnftbapLuni
of these new Christians, for they merely ask whether they
helieve in Christ or in the Holy Qiurch, or can say tho Apos-
tles' creed, and then baptize them at once ; and as the peo-
ple know well enough that wc should not act in that man-
ner. but should ask them their reasons for wishing to be-
come Christians, and teach them diligently, they do not
come to u*. Beside*, seeing that the great mass of blacks
are papists they follow their example, Oiiaking blindly that,
to iMMteaa the mere name of Christian is enough. Wc may
ndu another reason : namely, that the Romanist* ImpUre
slaves and the children of slaves, thus making them nomi-
nal Christians; whilst among us baptism i* only adminis-
tered to those whnae parents are Christiana

LETTER XVIII.

Of Um J.—, BUck sdJ WViU

On* of your letters. dated from Harlingvr, has at length
reached me. It mdm tliat place in inure favoured than

Wostkappel, for the letter* you arnt from thence have never
come to hand. Perliapa tlicy were sent by- sailor* who
found no opportunity to deliver them aafely. so that they
were tawed on from one ahip to anotlier without ever
entering the bay. or iicrhaps U»o letters have been thrown
into the grant bag at Penang or elsewhere, where, after being
kept a year unclaimed, tlicy would be burnt

Jews are found here, and in many other places on the
vast coast of India, as thev are almost all over the world.
They are not, however, to be met with in the neighbouring
islands, nor at Java. Sumatra, Celebes, Amboyna, Banda, or
Ceylon. A colony of tlicm is domiciled on this coast, who,
according to their own account, came hero after the de-
struction of the second t*- tuple, which is the era from which
they date : thus this present year (>”-3), is with them the
year 1657-*

Since this period about a thousand Jews, men, women, and
children, have settled in Malabar, fixing their abodes at
Cannanore. Nagorjie, Malai. and Porivarem For some cen-
turies they were -unfortunate enough ; but their situation
improved ill tho reign of Clieram|»croumal. Uiat monarch
having granted them certain privilege*, which were in-
scribed on cu|»pcr, and are still preserved. 1 luivc seen n

• TlwrulnM.4«lsU>Jmma:»<avw«t>‘fh«n*aAo( Uw mMm reyt*.

nik.li » • '«» NW hU> fart. TVu >t«W .« |>c*scot >• about SO" 1 M*

^ ,„v lo tW—W — tl~r ..c~tor. ««o

W'diM A t». «*. wWm 10,000 J.«»U ( (.mil... mine ■iwl »lU«l

“a U- <-»..« w»l Italw « «« ol U.. com-

try Ui >11 1 — '..l-Ut, tlu. >.sW b» ta crrwlly

tb, iuul >i auuM U n*.rcr tl- uwrt A M nccm«* .4 lb. SyrUn. >;.d Jo*,
will 1~ found In tbr ••CfciMtiu* R«— **W ofCl—l.u.
imny .uoo*-lul d»«o .i « in CmM*. of XjT-e sad H»l— M.AIl <* «'*»’««
tatelwh .nd otw P»ru of tbo DO* * <£■ 1’oWfrMly

Unr “ CImMm S* ska W,l«». Luof. U tl* BiVAa-H. D.

JEWS Ol- MALABAR.

I IS

copy of them ; they consist of oerUin frivolous grants, such
aa permission to uae trumpets and drums, sedans, and
similar trifles, which are much thought of in this coun-
try. He also placed over them a Jew named Joseph
Rabban, who as well as his successors received the title of
Chiraroand Map pels : i a, the merchant whose office it is to
furnish the Emperor's lamps with wicks, which must be re-
garded as a tribute paid to the monarch in acknowledgment
for the dignitv. The word Mapptla docs not express any
supreme or inde|>endent authority.

I have been told, but 1 will not vouch for the truth of the
story, that thcee merchaata wished to purchase with a large
sum of money, from one of the princes of Malabar, the
oi\tire supremacy over their own nation ; and that the bar-
gain was nearly completed, whgn the monarch bearing from
other quarters that the Jews had no large independent pos-
sessions in any part of the world, refused their demand.
These white Jews made several black proselytes, and in
process of time, a great division took place between them,
add thev spread out in different directions. A [sirtv of the
white Jews came to a place called by the Portuguese Si»i-
liora SavocM. about half a league distant from the town of
Cochin, where they maintained themselves for fifty years ;
but being unable to eudure any longer the offeusiv* vicinity
of the Moore, and still more of the Christians, who keep
unclean animals in their houses, they obtained from the
Rajah of Cochin a piece of ground near bis palace, on which
to build their houses. Here they have dwelt now for 202
years, but the place being small, tbeir houses are poor and
huddled together , they arc chiefly built of stone, and
covered with tiles.

At the present time they have a Jewish chief, appointed by
the Rajah of Cochin with the title of Modcliur who bcare.as
a sign of his dignity, a wand with a silver knob; n kind
of staff which both the Rajah and Uio Conqiany give to
any one whom they wuh to honour, or who is np|»>mted
to certain offices, such aa Uiat of merchant U> the Company,
The Modvliar has power to enforce some punishments, and
to impose and remit fines, subject to the Rajahs judgment;
hut great and capital causes are tried by the Rajah himself.
The Coui|*ny has however some jurisdiction over them.

I luivc enquired of the princiital persons among these
Jews the reason why they lave kept so few records of the
history of tlicir nation here. Their answer has been that

116

LETTER* FROM MALA HAH

iheir records had been lorn from them by die Portuguese
in the year 1662. when that people devastated their syna-
gogue, and deprived them of their privileges, because they
hod supplied the Dutch with provisions during their mi-
succeoslul siege of the city.

The Black and White Jews inhabit the mime district,
the latter occupying the banks of the river. The white an-
much richer and more powerful than the black, who are
mostly of slave race, and amount. I have been told, to 2,000
souls in Malabar. The number of white Jews who have of
la to come here from Europe, Bagdad, and Cairo, is small ;
but there an- some also w1m» have been settled here for
many centuries They try as much as possible to prevent
inter- marriage# with the black Jews, although these some-
times take place. The two races |»os*es*also separate syna-
gogues; and the blacks have a dark coloured Rabbi, who
must stand back if a white one enters, and must resign to
him the honour of performing divine service in the syna-
gogue. On the other hand, when the black Rabbis enter
the synagogue of the whiles, which is a very superior one.
they must only be hearers. There has been lately a great
dispute between the two races : the black wishing to com-
pel the white Jewesses to keep their heads uncovered, like
their own women, and trying to persuade the Rajah to
enforce such a rule. The dispute ended, however, with
permission given to every one, both men and women, to
wear what they chose.

The Jews make no objection to selling their slaves who
are not of their own religion toother nations, obliging them,
however, when sold, to abandon the use of the Jewish CAp.
which they had before worn on their heady, But slave*,
male or female, once fully admitted into their religion by
the performance of the customary rites, can never be sold
to a stranger. The black Jews trade chiefly in poultry,
eggs and butter , but the whites. who trade with tho Com-
|x»nr, soil more valuable commodities.

Thus, my brother, you see tho Di»ine prophecies continu-
ed in the Isr East, where the curae upon this Stiff-necked
people is heavy upon them, as it is in Europe, snd the veil
is still before their hux; while thev look in vain for a Mes-
siah, snd now begin to despair of their expectation, for then-
are some here who venture to say that possibly the Messiah
for whom Israel has been longing for so many centuries,
was never promised at alL

And now, my worthy brother, I long sorely to soc you
and our dear parent* once more. Oh, when will that day
arrival perhaps never. My deairea to revisit my beloved
fatherland are ceaseless, aid all the enjoyments I have here
cannot satisfy them Others may say, our country is
wherever we are well off; but the force of nature goes
beyond all that. It would seem as though our frame* have
a perpetual attraction to Uie land where we first drew
breath, and that being formed of the very dust which is
found there, they seek it as their own element, and are mys-
teriously thus drawn to it You will say perhaps that in
some respects this ardent wish of mine is unreasonable, ih
I have here every requisite for temporal oomfort It would
lie ingratitude to deny it Yet, my brother, our happincan
does not depend on theae things, as is sometimes imagined.
It is true I find my house filled with slaves, my table load-
«"d with delicacies ; but I am not the happier for it, for the
multitude of slaves breaks the head, and twenty do not
now serve me so well as six or seven did formerly. And
why ? because they put their work off upon each other's
shoulders, and those who are sent to put things straight
only make matters worse. Can you expect anything else
from savage* ? and yet. oh foolish vanity! the law of fashion
forces us to submit to all this. Our food, delicately dressed
in various ways, is generally insipid, and a dish from our
old fatherland would be considered a banquet here. And
how can any kind of food help us, when appetite, its only
sauce, is wanting; as is the case with me and with thou-
sands besides, for the heat of the min and the climate is
such that we seldom know the feeling of hunger. But of
all them grievances I think but little, compared to that of
the absence of roy dear parent* You know that love de-
spises everything but its object. Meantime may every
Divine blessing attend you

LETTER XIX.

Acroar.l of tk# Moon is MahUf.

A* the population of Malabar. include* member* of various
religion*. we nn 1 nol surprised U> find among them a me;
of Moor*, who prefcm the faith of MalmmeL They deserve
our attention the more, that they were the chief foe* Uie
Portuguese had to contend with on their first landing on
these const*, for as commerce had hitherto remained solely
in tlieir bands, Uicy disputed any share in it being wnnied
by tine new comer*. They, being like the St Thomas Chris-
tians, bom in this land, might be in one tenso regarded**
natives of .Malabar, but a* they have mingled with other
members of their faith, Moguls, Turks and Arabs, who re-
sort to the country f«r purposes of trade, they form in some
sort a distinct people. ....

Like the Portuguese here, their disposition is naturally
inclined to cruelty and malice. In costume they resemble
the natives, the beard, which they alone wear, forming their
distinguishing mark, and they also usually carry some
weaiion, sword or cutla*. There are but few wealthy mer-
chants among die Moors in the neighbourhood of Cochin,
who are for the most part in small circumstances; their
dwellings, which lie on the banks of the river, beyond the
Jews’ locality, are built of stone, and are mostly small and
mean. The people an- held altogether in small estimation
here, mid are hut littlo employed in the commercial traiiH-
actiona of the Kant India Company.

On die other hand, tliey arc very influential at Calicut,
and indeed are almost the masters of the place. The chief
merchant there i* always attended by a large suite of Ins
compatriots, who are armed with sword and shield, in imi-
tation of the pomp and parade of Uie nadve princes. The
East India Company make every year an agreement with
him for turmeric, of which he usually furnishes 100 kandies
to the Commissioner* there.

MOORS or MALABAR 11 H

The most powerful of all the Moon*, who may be regarded
utmost as an independent prince, reside* at Cniinanore. He
is entitled Ali Rajali. king of the island*, being the lawful
sovereign of all the Uccadivea which were coded to him by
Colaatn. Being deacended from the ancient house of (Joliu.tr i.
he is indeed a scion of tho royal family, but having em-
braced Mahometanism, he forfeited his right of succession to
the kingdom in Malabar. But be lias sufficient territories
in his possession, among which the lamcadivo* aru the most
considerable ; and as a testimony of the above-mentioned
cession to these islands a new All Ksgah must alwaya receive
his crown from the reigning Rajah of Colastri His Turk-
ish or Moorish appellation is. Mahomet All Caauw. Although
he has embraced the Mussulman faith, the Mnlalsir laws of
succession hold good in his domains, the sister s son being
his rightful successor.

Ali Rajah baa a large and handsome bazaar, where most
of the Moors in hi* dominions reside. This bazaar extends on
one side nearly to the bay. and on tbc other is within reach
of' the Company’s fort and cannon. It is itself sufficient-
ly fortified witfi walls and artillery to enable it to resist the
attacks of the heathen* The Moorish Rajah carries on a con-
siderable traffic with Modia, Persia, Surat and other places,
and owns several vessels. The East India Company trade
with him at Cannanore, in cania m u m and turmeric. They
indeed derived considerable benefit from bis friendship on
their first settlement in Malabar, when they were at war with
the Portuguese ; and a treaty for mutual protection was enter-
ed into between them. Last year. (1722).a great quarrel arose
between Ali Rajali and tho people of Colastri, which ended
in onen war. It originated in a nine private dispute ; a party
<>f Moon, alow some Naira, and the latter in revenge killed
a* many Moon a* tliey could lay hands «»u. At length tho
Moors, hearing that a prince of the house of Colaatrf was
about to pass the lazaar on his journey to the Court of tho
Zamorin, inlcreeptid him. not hia retinue to rout* and inHict-
ed disgrace on him bv publicly flogging him in the Istzjuu.
An insult so gnaw offered to one of their own race so cn-
ragvd the Rajahs that they laid aiege to tlio bazaar, and se-
veral conflicts took place ; tho English always supporting the
party of Colastri, and furnishing them with all uocesaane* of
war, on condition, it is said, that if the bazaar was con-
quered and the Moors expelled, the English should have n
factory there. Our Company remained neutral, only |«er-

120

LETTK1S FROM MALABAR

milting the Moon to purrhaM ammunition. &c, in the
city. Tho siege lasted a long time within sight of tile fort
of Connanore, which retained its neutrality, merely warn-
ing the MligerenU not to carry on their corn lists within
reach of its artillery. But wlien the Malabar*, finding
their a Item lit* on the opposite aide fniitleiw. proceeded
to assault the l>uzaar in a quarter where they were with-
in rang* of the fort, our garrison finding their warning*
disregarded, tired a volly among them, which destroyed
numbers, and obliged the rest to beat a hasty retreat AfW
this occurrence the siege proceeded slowly, till at length
the parties concluded a treaty, (through the mediation it i*
MHid of the English governor of Cklicut, Mr. Adams), which
was highly disadvantageous to tin* Moors ; they being oom-
| idled to pay » large sum of money to Colaatri lor the
exjienses of the war, leaving some gardens in pledge till
tins was done, and also to permit him to retain a fortified
village on the further side, tlie guns of which would com-
mand the b az aar.

The Portuguese and Moon nourish a rooted hatred towards
each other, which commenced at the first arrival of the
former in India, and still endures. It is perceptible even
when they are at peace. In the war 1720 the Portuguese,
meeting a ship halonging to All Rsjali which was conveying
money and horses from Mocha attacked it, under the pre-
text that no one had the right of transporting horses but
themselves ; and although the vessel had a Dutch passport,
they captured it and brought it into the harbour of Cochin.
On hearing this, Ali Rajah despatched twenty well manned
vessels to pursue the Portuguese, who were discovered in the
harbour with the captured ship. The Portuguese commander,
<>r Copilano di i/arre Ouerrt, overcome with terror, fell «t
the feet of tlie Dutch Commandant and implored hi* protec-
tion. The latter, moved to compassion by hit deep humilia-
tion, charged the Moon to refrain from liostiUtiua in tin*
harbour, and it was mutually agreed that an officer should
In* np|Niinled by each party to report the event to their
«u|»TiorH. ami that in the meantime no lioatilitie* should
luku place. Shortly after this, a Portuguese named Alba
Bonlo entered the roadstead, without any salute, and in tpito
of this comfort treacherously stole off witli the captured
Vessel, taking the mate with him.

This treachery against all human law* »o incensed the
Commandant that he detained two Portuguese Captains who

HOOKS OF MALABAR. 121

were on land, and not prepared for a sudden flight; and thou
sent word to the V iceroy . who was ooin|*ulIcd L> restore the ship
and her merchandize in orelcr to obuin hi* o Hi corn' liberty.

Another event happened at Tanoor la»t year, which artwo
from tin* following eauso : — A certain Moor had invited ramo
Danes to trade wiUt him ; the Portuguese Resident not ap-
proving of thia. strengthened with a troop of Naim, expelled
the Dance, and caused the Moor who had culled them in, to
be bound to a stake ami beaten. This ao enraged the Moon
I hut they resolved to tako violent revenge '1'he Roaiilcnt
Bibero happening to die soon after, the Viceroy appointed
in Ins place his son-in-law Kelisco dos Santos The offended
Moors took on opportunity one day when the new Resident
I rack gone out for n walk to enter his houso secretly, and to
maltreat his two children in such a manner that Uiey died
within two daya Having made a complaint of this at
Coo, a ship of war was despatched to his assistance in the
beginning of January, conveying troops who after landing
put nil the Moors they met to death, and proceeded to
prouder and bum their house*. The Moors were obliged
for the time to submit ; but aa soon as the Portuguese
bud debited they vented their fury on the native Christians
laid waste their houses and gardens, pulled down their
church, aud even compelled a slave belonging to the Resident
to adopt their religion, which was an infraction of the treaty.
Meantime the Resident and his wife retired to Cochin Tim
Zamorin however offers reparation ami satisfaction, which
will perhaps appease the quarrel.

The extension of the Mahometan rlctrines on this coast
took place in early times, if we are to believe certain Mala-
l«ar records in the Arabic language. According to them,
some etnUeariea came here so far »*ck *» the reign of Che-
nimiKioumal, when Mahomet was in hi* .'»7lh year; urn I
entirely pennuulcd the Emperor «.f the Divine mission of
their Prophet, that he resolved to go in pm to visit him.
Cheraapcnioattl died. however, on his journey, but not till
lie bod taken can- by letter* which he addressed before Ida
death to tlio Kuj.ih- of Malabar, that nil freedom should bo
allowed the Mahometan teacher* to prorogate tlicir religion,
make disciples and build temples through the whole country.
This they did with equal zeal and Miceesa; no that within a few
years their false creed had struck deep root here. The narra-
tion 1 have followed is however filled with trifle*, nnd doe*
not hung well togctlivr. so I will not detain you longer with it

LETTER XX.

01 ito Kdn (Soalma\ or -arrior m*. A MakUr. Thch kmllic*. oocuim-

tlo^ mod* of Milan, and aamtora

This letter shall be devoted to a minute account of the
Naim or warriurs of Malabar, who attained much oelcbrjty
during the warn between the Zamorin and the Portuguese.
They may be justly entitled bom soldiers, as by virtue of
their descent they must always bear arms. They constitute
the third and last of the honoured castes under the name of
Sudras.

Their ceremonies and observance* coincide in a great
measure with those of Chetriahs : like these tlrey are allowed
no lawfiil wives, and the children always belong to the
mother’s family. Another point of resemblance between
these c&stes is that their corpses are always burnt, a privilege
which belong exclusively to the higher castes; the mem-
bers of the inferior ones alone are interred. The ceremo-
nies observed on the birth of a child resemble also in many
points those of the Cbetriahs. At the age of 12 years a
Sudra child begins to loam Uie laws of his cast*, aiid when
lie has attained his 16 th he first takes up anna*

The Sudras may be divided into two classes : the nobles
and the commons. The following are the noble families —
Nambedi, Nambiar, Samandra. Patitsjan, or Belerte Nairn,
Bcllalen or BelUres, WcUelcoc, Tallenaii* (wlio are barber*

• lu J<ihn»*i’> • IkUlioo* rflbl’m.. K.«.-v u. 'to Wart, I” (Ito. lfll 1\
ito MllW Uiu* mcofd. oT lb. KUrm. Tt-T l-bakt «*-«*. U*t dwll hi
htoiMa. nwd* ol culb ranno*! wtlb bul^r- *ui »— U, tied UlOii *iy. XI In-
lri.v.1* m hit.. * Ul«jimtb It k -troy* U> •*• Ik— r—tlj »».<• -uWIcr «.*
till* ii-mtrr ItUbn — p n e* Ikj in *11 froUanae tod U»n,.vl K»>.« At
■<•'•0 ram ol ig* Ito* am pul to *cb*cJ to Wars tb* ua* ol ttoir watirni*,
-to... u, Uwm luabk ml wti.*, Itotr ami ud U>U.ir.lM.d«l
» v akUlul I* Hum, ml .faulted aitb lb* <41 IteatiD.u : to tliU nauintinv
tb*i b. cum- |,*f. ml aunU. tbU lto» -ill .tod ml fun tbrir bodka
il l toy tod bueaa, <-tm« them l.-ard, toU-ml. b«b and lu* *».o to
'to Ktuui-bm-at <4 tb* tobobkm. Ttow oaotmul d. light U Id ttoW
ptreuaMag (bcmulvm thv. do Mika gortb tojmxl Uirta lu .kill and ikx
«»rtly.“

X AIRS or MALABAR.

li!

and modi esteemed, m they were privileged by Saneratn-

t r to assist the Brahmin* at funeral ocrcmoniea), Vellalit
dren, and Sudren. These all subsist on the produce of
their own Mtates and carry on no trade, with the exoe[>tioii
of bartering among eacli other.

Some of them are lords of their own territories, potnem-
Sng royal power, but moat of them merely hold their estate*
in rtef from their prince, whom they are bound to servo in
war. and to protect his dominions, for which aervioe they
receive no pay. but are maintained when employed out of
the country. They generally own Pulleahn, whom they
have inherited with their property, and who cultivate the
soil.

There are also several Naira who are employed in con-
stant attendance upon their Rajahs, whose retinue they
form. These receive daily pay, more or loss at the Rajah *
pleasure ; it is well if they get as much as 3 stivers a day

a niece.

Rasidoor*. Governors of towns and provinces, and high
Military officers are chosen from this class of Sudras, ns they
are superior in dignity to the second class.

These inferior .Sudras are also Nairn or soldiers, bound to
accompany the Rajah at his behest in war; but in time of
peace they maintain themselves by certain handicrafts and
trades, to which they are called by their birth respectively.
Thus there arc the

Sakkiara. Musicians in the Pagodas and

at Court

Poodcwallen .Who have the honour of (land-

ing betel to the Rajah.

Andoekellan Makers of pot* and pans.

Txombos Kotty Bargain maker*.

Tooncn .. Tailors.

Noclchottin Cloth weaver*.

WiUiattc Naira Oilmakere.

J odneheri Ploughcm

Wallamnsoen Fiaherroon.

Ajari.... (arnenterv

Mocajari Tinker*.

Tataan ; Silversmith*.

Kollcn Blacksmith*.

The armies of Mala liar are formed of these Sudras. They
nro expert in the use of arm*, and *et at nought the lower
castes, who being unarmed are unable to protect themselves

i.trms krom mai-shak.

124

"gulmrt their violence. Tlw Pulleahs do not venture to ap-
proach them, and eel out of their way u> escape Mows or
I-mIuijw WOQIkU; lor the** heroes always curry u nuked
"Word when they an* abroad, and even in their liOUMS they
muat have ono'at lund as a token of their dignity anil
office: these weapon* vary in fonn ; they iuv generally
"‘might with Loth edge* "sharp They Muinetimc* haven
"Wall weapon called a Katjanel beside*, which u> futcuod
to the shoulder by a ribbon.

The weapons used in war are various. The most com-
mon are swords with which they can do considerable ex-
ecution, and large round -lik Ids made of leal her pro pared
with many colours, rest adding tlie ancient cly|*ci. .Some-
times the shield* are covered witii tiger skins, they -arc
very light and tlie Naira are adroit in the use of U>ein.
Some are armed with bows and arrows; these are chief-
ly inhabitants of the mountains, They liavc also pike-
men; their pik« are very small and light, and they
arc quick in hurling them. They are all foot soldiers;
knowing nothing of horsemanship. I have never seen a
Malabar on horseback; not even do their princes ponses*
steeds, and indeed they would be of no use in tlie low rial,
lands, where tlie ground is much broken and very marshy,
and interacted with streams: and besides this, there are no
beaten roads, tlie whole country being covered with bushes
and underwood. It often happens tliat our troops aiv
obliged to march in single file, and if tlie natives at such
times were wise and active enough they might easily anni-
hilate our regiments by opposing their progress

Moreover there are few or no 1 Kiras found lirre. There
are a few of a puny speck* unfit for riding at Tengepatuam.
The wealthy Moon import them from Arabia, and these
animals fetch a high price.

The Rajahs keep elephant*, which are captured in the
mountains and are of immense site, but tliey are only used
for hard work, and in war for traii«|mrting Iwggage.

They have musketeers also among their troops, and they
have a "good notion of making tlie barrels of tlieir musket*,
which they do not bore, but cast With these muskets
they can reach nearly as far as wc do with ours; but they
are very heavy ami their weight is increased by the ramrod
being of iron. They take a very sure aim. and the first
shot generally hit* and often inflicts great miscbieC for tin*
wounds are inflicted by tlie gra|>eJiot of various shapes which

XAIBS or UALAIUIt.

12 ".

they line instead of round ImllvU ore very painful. Their
musket* I wive one great fault, lliat it taken a long time to
l<md them, so tliat European foe*, when they have stood the
tir.st tire cam full upon them while tiiey are rvluo-liiig. Be-
niilea thin, they can never let ott more than threo voUevn in
nucoewiim. bciuuse when firing they place one of the finger
naila between tho eyo and the none, and by tlio time tho
third ahot ia di*charad. all tlio akin ia acratched of!' that
l***rt of the face. Like other Larbaroii* tuition* they
|hms<>«h but liUlo military science. They do not know how
t-. form rank*, and nay little heed to the commands of their
niHctra. They tight m a confused tnanuor without any order
or concert, for which reason they cannot be incorjx.raU.Hl into
our regiments like the other Indian aoldiem, but must
form a separate Corps. We beheld in the late war. Ik»w much
they were terrified by the pikemen of Balise and Java, who
led by Europeans made such a furious onslaught upon those
Nail'S that they were thrown into the utmost confusion.
They have another fatal custom, which has cost many lives ;
Every body slain in battle must immediately be taken away
U> bo burnt, which creates great coufusion, and the survi-
vors lose heart at the sight of their comrades thus carried
-lead off tho field.

-igain they arc ignorant of the science of beleaguering
strongholds, and they have no mate-rials for cannonading.
ImmuIm, grenades, and other instruments of war being un-
known to them: therefore we have not much to fear from
them iu this resjvet. if our forts arc but tolerably well pro-
tected. We have seen how Anjrngo l>eld out against them
when almost entirely bereft of garrison. They are better at
defending a fort or fortified village, oonstmcUnl in their own
fashion, than at open fight in tiie field : for, when behind
the shelter of their walla they can fire away at their ohm*
through the gunbok*. ami wc are obliged to Imp out of
range of their firelocks ; but. after all. there i* not much to
fear from them, as litey know so liule how to handle them
Tho Kajalis endeavour to entiev our men to act as officers
for them, imagining Uiat cvcty European is well veined in
military matters, tliougli. may be, he ha* never seen a camion
tired.

1 think it the wisest way in attacking their fort* and
loggers to make use of bom>«*. grenade*, ami cornbu*-
tibles, both lecause these missiles strike terror into them
and because their fortified village*, being constructed gene-

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

I2f»

rally of combustible Batten. (for tl* Ikhisos arc built ol
dry palmyra leavva,) speedily catch fire and are consumed.

The wars which the Rajah* wags among themselves are
not (xoductive of much bloodshed. A battle in which 20
liven were lost would he coraidertd a vary serious affair.
TIk) dsatli* ill tire omrac of a whole war often do not
amount to that number, therefore tliese hostilities excite hut
little of our attention, though sometimes three or four Ra-
jahs combine together. against other*. Tire princi|«l mis-
chief they cause is by hindering the transport of supplies,
and very often tho whole country is devastated and laid
waste, the cattle drivon away, and the miserable subject-
sorely oppiwed. There are sufficient reasons to account for
this species of warfare, they p o ss es s no Trailed towns And
very lew fortified villages ; but all their places are unpro-
tected and pen and their territories contiguous to each
other, so that the injure’! party being the weakest in one
quarter may be able to inflict reprisal on the aggressor by
invading his domains in another.

The death of a Rajah or grandee in war tends to improve
the condition of his party: for the enemy who has been the
cause of his death must immediately quit the field, and pay
a fine either in goods or lands to the family of the slain
prince. Thus the Rajah of Mangalti once killed three Pa-
roese princes and was therefore obliged u> resign a consider-
able piece of land. This law is of service in protecting the
lives of these princes.

And now let us consider the numbers of these Nairn.
According to Malabar calculation there are 3,000,000 of
them in this country; but this U incredible, for although
many places are highly populated, we cannot believe that
so small a track of land can contain ao many hundred thou-
sand. taking into consideration besides the numbers of the
other caste* Hut the Malabar Rajah*, like other Oriental
mouaivh*. uro food of exaggerating their importance, and
they Isiftst of tho number of Nairn and wddient tliov have
in thoir country and service, to impress us with the idea <■!
their wealth and power.

LETTER XXL

Aceuuul 4 th. Cbrr-. •**- »— «* M * UUr

Tlio lower onlera of Malabar «e divided into wwrnl
caste*. differing considerably in rank and dignity. \\ c will
tin.* notice Ike Cbm. who aune in very wjcienl time. to
this country. of winch they may lw reckoned, on Account of
their long habitation and dmihrity of religion, as native.
The tradition i* that they came originally from Cvyloli.
where they belonged to the miliUry caste. in conwqumcii
of the following cutunnUMt In the time of C1ierani|icix>u-
nud, a woman belonging to the caste of the washermen,
whose home adjoined that of an Ajari (the carj»cnU.*r caste).
Iteing occupied a* usual in washing a cloth in water mixed
with ashes (which if* here used fc- soap), and having no one
at hand to hold the otlier end of it. called to a young
daughter of Uie Ajari, who was alone in the house, to assist
her. The child, not knowing that this was an infringement
of the laws of her caste, did as she was requested, and then
went home. The washerwoman was emboldened by this
affair to enter the Ajari* house a few days afterwards ;
and upon the latter demanding angrily how die dared to
cross his thresh hold, the woman answered scornfully that
he belonged now to the nunc c*'tc as she did, since his
daughter had helped to liold her doth. The Ajari, learning
the disgrace that had befallen him. killed the waslwrwoman.
Upon this. Ikt friends complained to Clicrampcnmmal, who
espoused tlieir cause and threatened die carpenters, where-
UIk.ii die latter combined blether to take refugs in Ce\ l.-n,
where they were favouralilv received by the king of Candy,
for whom die Mnlalwrs Imvc great veneration. t.1ienini|K*-
roumal was plans! in great einlsurna'inent l»v their depnr-
tun*, having no one in his dominions who ought build a Ii<.iim-

nr make ■ KUDOS, and *• ood ths king of OftMJ 1 1 1 t

lark, promising b» do diem no injury. The Ajaris would
not place entire confidence in tlrwc premises, but asked the

128 U.rTBSS FMOI UALA1UR.

king to >VII.I with tlicm two Cbcgoa ami their wive*, to
wimcs* ( 'horanipcroaraal's conduct towards them, nnd to
protect I Win. 'Ilu* king granted their request, with the
stipulation that on nil high occasion*, such m wedding* nml
deiUlw and Other ceremonies, tl*c Ajari* should lwatow three
measures of rice on each of these Chegoa nml their descend-
«»ta, "a " tribute for thin prelection; a custom which -till
exist*. If the Ajari ia too poor to afford the outlay, lie in
'till obliged to present the requisite quantity of rice, which
in then given back to him again; the privilege of the Cheg>«
being thus maintained Kroin these two oouples nil the
CWos of Malabar are said to he descended

Thin caste cunea next below tiuii of the Sodras, Imt in
considered much lens honourable. In times of civil wai or
rehellion, the Chegoa arc bound to take unarms for the law-
fill sovereign; and some princes employ them an soldiers on
other occasions, if they have not a sufficient force of Naira
Their principal occupation is that of drawing toddy, which
is compulsory on their caste; this operation, as yon know,
i" jierformed by cutting off the top of the cocoa-palm, and
collecting in vessels the juioe whicli exudes from if. The
fhegoa are sub-divided inu. two castes: the Chegos nml the
Twen Cbogoa.

Next to the Chcgos are the Cothyofryj,, who make Iww*.
arrow*, shields and other weapons of War, and tlio Cmniiur-
<P*ryi>. whose vocation is to teach tho art of fencing nnd
the use of weai>ons ; with these we must reckon the Cuct«dy
or trumpeters.

After these castes follow otiiera still lower in rank, con-
sisting of: 1st, the Cjiinuimo/. who arc astrologers; 2nd,
tile wnn# w, or exorcism of evil spirit ; 3rd, the C»fti
Conmai, snake charmer* and diviners ; and 4th, the Poeuro
Poeloon, who accom[iuny tlwm with tambourines or Mimil
drum* These four uateu nrv in some measure distinct, but
resemble each otJur in th.ir strict *| •rati on from other
castes in their unwilled im-le of lift*, wandering from iJsiv
to idside Slid earning tiwir liwlilasal by exorcisms. jugglery .
siiiike-cltarming, Ac., like Hie heathens iii Ktirnpo: mid mil cir
independence. f»r they manage their own law suits, punish
their own criminals, nnd wv subject t** no Prinos or luijah.

Another caste are the Mifqttttv, who inhabit the seashore*
i‘U'1 suUist by fUhing We cannot woreler that many of
tliem have laconic K •inish rhii-4uns, .i< the Europeans luivc

* i mueh iutluemv in rh.vw jcul* of tin" omntry.

SLAVE CASTES.

129

Tho slave caste*, the member* of which belong to indi-
vidual muter*, ore : lot, the Cannekuu, who gallic r the
cocoanuts ; and 2nd, the Btttoas, who make saltpans anti
collect the salt : these two are the mo*t honourable of tlie
slave castes.

Then follow the Pulleahs. who are again subdivided into
several classes : the Collamary or smiths ; U.e WeUoe Ca-
ntu, the BsUos PuUsaks, and the Canna Puil»Ju, whoso
occupation is agriculture, sowing, planting and cutting tho
Noly, for which they reseive, both from their proprietors
and from strangers, one sheaf out of evory ten they cut.
There is a dispute between the Oannckaas and Uie PuUculi*
am to which is the higher cute, for there is room even
uniting these miserable creatures for pride ; the first main-
taining that their cute tanka Bret, whilst the Pulleahs avui
that they enjoy more privileges, u for instance that they
may employ barbers, and may wear a fillet on their head*
and a long garment- reaching to the knees, which tho Can-
nokaan may not do.

The Pariahs are divided into two castes; the Ginni Pa-
riahs and the Aire Pariahs. They are regarded as out-
casts; their usual occupation is making rioe winnows and
baskets, and they are also oow-doetors, and have a right to
flay the carcases of cows and to keep the hides for them-
selves. They are permitted to eat the flesh of cows that
liave died, and often devour it raw.

Besides these there are three jungle castes: 1st, tho
OUarrs, who collect honoy and wax in the jungles, where
these articles are found in great abundance, and are brought
down to the coast by merchants and thence exported to
other countries Tho Ollares wear no clothing, and Ward
the tiger as their uncle. When one of these animal* dies,
cither naturally or by violence, they iJiavo thoir heads in
token of mourning, and eat no cooked food for three days;
they may eat no flmh hut tliat of animals which have lawn
killed by tigers, so that the existence of those wild IwasU in
of groat ooone«|ucnce to them

The WttlUn and the Naiaddy are also bushinen who
hunt wild beaut* ami subsist upon tlwir flesh, as well ns
upon herbs and roots; so that there arc many among the* 1
three castes who have never tooled rioe.

I have thus given you a brief account of the low nu4r<.
who come little if at all under the notice of us Eui<i|«'hii~.
•ml sic therefore little tloiught of.

LETTER XXII.

A eeount of tl- T«Um ml tl—r pri.iUfa. •! t>* Cinrn*, iWr m»u nr.
of hi.. <UM. U of emu. ..pul ml fumnl ml («uU uu.l

of Uio JiffW

The heathen* or idolater* of Malabar may be divided into
two clnmcn ; tbo native* and the foreigner* The latter are
of three description* : I. Tlmae who visit the country for
trading purposes, and sojourn in it for a long time, who are
called Putture*. II. Those who aru settled in Malabar,
called C'unareae. 1IL Tboee who merely travel through it,
called Jogia.

The Patton*, who arc many thousands in number, are
Brahmins, dwelling among and beyond the mountain range.
Their native country is the district round Tutioorin, Coro-
mandel, Madura, Kotar and the neighbourhood. They bold
themselves higher than the Malabar Brahmins and Nh.hi-
boorics, wlio they say sprang from fishermen elevated to tbo
Brahminical dignity by Parocso Raman. 11 ic Patton* take
no share in the Administration of Government in Malabar,
being regarded as foreigners, although they sometimes spend
tliree or four years on this coast Their occupation con-
sists in trading, and the conveyance of commodities into
the interior. They do not deal with the Company or otlior
Europeans, but with the Canarme. Moors and Jews, whom
good* they buy. They have erected factories for trading
pur|Misc* lit Quilon. Kully Quil»n, Codiin, Triclioiv, Ponany
and Calicut, where they po«-* al»> magnum*.

The Itujahs of Malabar have granted certain commercial
privilege* to the PatUrva. The find is exemption, to a
great degree, from customs ; they pay only half the usual
duty for tlm loads tlioy carry on their head*, and nothing
for those they carry mi Ilnur back* «. that wc generally moo
them laden with two |«*rkft£c* They are restricted now*,
ever to such good* M they can rarry Uu-mselvo* overland.
Their second privilege is an allowance of food gratis at any

TATTARKS AXD CAN A REST.

Pagoda they visit* u long an Uicy remain there: in return
for tli in they are bound to awoep and clean the building
when required. They cujoy the name privilege at the
couru of several Rajahs, wl.cro they appear in great num-
ber! on festival day*, and take the opi>ortunity to eat vora-
ciously ; on three occasion* they receive alao a few fananu.
Thirdly, the right of carrying their load* ia eonSned to men
of their own owte and nation, an arrangement by which
many thousand* of their poor are mpportod, no other raoo
being alloweil any share in Uioir profits.

The Pattorcs are subdivided into Uiree caste*, which dif-
fer but little in rank, though the respective members refuse
to eat out of tin* name dish, or to intermarry with each other.
They are called

Pandy I Tanlour

Toele PatUre* ; or Choolia Pattares.

Toelegen | Mockoramby

Their customs resemble those of the Can arose and other
Brahmins, of whom we will now speak.

The Canaresc who are permanently settled in Malabar,
arc the race best known to the Europeans ; not only because
the East India Company trade with them, and appoint one of
their number to be their merchant, giving him the attendance
of two Dutch soldier* : but also because from the shops of
them people in the town we obtain all our household neces-
saries, exoept animal food. Some sell rice, others fruits,
others various kinds of linen, and some again arc money
changers : so tliat there ia hardly one who Is not engaged in
trade. For this purpose their dwellings are scattered all
along the sea coast Hey are modi fiurer than the natives
of Malabar. The women arc good-looking. and wear a quan-
tity of ornaments, melt as gold chains, earring* and nose-
rings net with precious stone* or pearls, and bracelets ; in ad-
dition to which there is generally a thick silver ring, on OHO
foot, hanging over the ankle. Heir liair is twisted in a roll
on one side, and sometime* adorned with (lowers ; and they
wear a veil of white linen or ailk. thrown over their slioul-
dor, and fastened in front to the draw, which i* of the *nmo
material. The men are in general well made; they wear
white linen tunics*, which may either hang loom or arc gird-
ed up ; and like the women they wear ring* on tlieir hand*
and in their ear*. The head ia shaved, with the exception
of a long tuft of hair on the crown which they twist toge-
ther. and cover with a Rooms 1 or band.

lotem nm mainsail

is t

Accordin'' to their own tradition, the Canareao came from
n country culled Kaali Bardy. lying in the high hinds, be-
tween th* and Bombay, and divided into twelve -mail pro-
x inces, from which they were driven in earlv t un — by the
Moor* nr Moguls; they then came down to On*, and to tho
districts of Conara or Um Ooncan, where great number* of
this race ore found, ami thence called Canareae. The Por-
tuguese have converted eeveral of them to the Christian
confession by violent mean*, tearing children from the arms
of their parent* in order to baptuo them. Aa. however,
under our Government no compulsion is permitted in mat-
ter* of religion, wc find no one now turn Komiumt unless
if. may be one who has lost caste by the commission of some
crime They arc attracted to Malabar for the sake of trade,
which they first entered into with the Portuguese, and con-
tinue to carry on with the Dutch.

The Ganareee in the kingdom of Cochin live in the vici-
nity of our towns and forte, but not inside them; for they
look upon the Europeans as unclean, and will not eat or
drink in our houses. They cairy this feeling so fur, that if
they are shut up in the prisons of the East India Company,
they will not touch any cooked food or rioe, but only eat a
little betel and cocoanuts, which arc not reckoned ns fix-l ;
so it is the custom to allow them before-sunset to go out of
the town under the guard of tbo Serjeant of justice, that
they may bathe and change their dress, and then eat the
fond their friends bring to them ; for, like the Malalmr Brah-
min*, it is against tlieir law* to eat in the same clothing
they wear in the town.

There are two daav* of Canarcw. the Vianounutftt* and
the Schoumtitte*. but there i* no more difference between
them than there is between two »lri|M of minlalwond.
They say that Saner* tehar gave some jicUy law* to tbo
Brahmins of hi* sect, called SchouioaUcn to distinguish
them from the others; but the distinction is very trilling.
Polygamy is forbidden among the Osnarese. aa it is among
other Brahmin* ; widower* may marry five times, but not
more. They give their daughters in marriage at the ago
of eight or nine years ; for if they pass their tenth year
unmarried, they loee caste, and are not allowed to marry.
Pnrcnte consequently begin to look out for suitors for their
daughters very early, and generally obtain for the purpose
the service* of tlieir priest*, who first sound the inclination*
of the bridegroom and hi* father, and then propose the mar-

UAkklAUt CKkEMOMKii

isa

riage to tla-m. Tlw feeling* of Ute girl* Uiemsclvoa oic not
taken into Account at all. and they arc much to l«* pitied,
being driven into matrimony so young, with the dread of
their tenth year hanging like a weight over them.

When the parent* ol both parties have agreed together,
the young man, accompanied by hi* friends, repaint to the
liouaa of, the bride, where he aland* before Uie door, and
oska her parent* " Will you give roe your daughter.'
The answer in given in the affirmative ; and then the bride*
hither take* the bridegroom by U*e hand, and lo*<l* him
under a canopy raised before the door for the uurpuM*,
and there puta in hia hand* the money, gold and jewels
amigned for hia daughter's dowry. Tlie bridegroom now
enters tlic house, where a white linen sheet ia stretched be-
tween him and the bride, so that they cannot sec each other.
The bride’s lather Aen says : — " My daughter's namo ia
XXX, her parent* are called xxx xxx, and come from the
province of xxx.~ If it happen that both parties belong to
the same province, they must not marry, fellow provincials
bcinj{ regarded as brethren ; if this is not the case. the
marriage is lawful, the sheet is removed, and the bridegroom
takes the bride by tho hand, whilst the priest reads aloud
to the newly wedded pair their conjugal duties. The bride
is then exhibited to all the guests with her eyes dosod and
her arms folded, after which she and the bridegroom arc
seated together on Uie same bench , a tire ia lighted, over
which they take an oath to this effect:—' 1 We will live as
the Priest has bidden ua, and as our parents have lived."
Some women now appear and chant a song in honour of tho
couple, strewing on their head* uncooked rice, which among
the rich U mixed with pearl-dust The nuptial oeremonies
last Hvo day*, during which time the custom is to plnou
three cups, wiUi small hole* in U.ein, in a tub of water; n*
the wuU-r runs into the cup*, if they sink straight to the
bottom, it is a good mnen, but if they turn and tall on one
Hide, it is the reveree. They liavoa wayphowover, of fore-
ing a good omen out of a bad one. by repeating tho experi-
ment till the cups sink down righUy. The wholo jicriod of
the nuptials ia celebrated with great rejoicings, and dancing
girls are hired to exhibit their skill Tbe guest* are sprink-
led wiUi ro*e water, a great mark of reaped among these
people, ami presented with flowers On Uie sixth day they
rest, and on the seventh the newly wedded pair bathe, null
tho ceremony is concluded.

LETTERS FROM MAI -A BA It

13 *

When a first child is bora, tlrey go througli various en-
chantment* to ascertain whether the aspect of the Heavens
is favourable or not. from which tirey fore tel the infant’s
future fortunes, the Canareae being, like all the Indian
tribes, much addicted to astrology. Tire fathor and all his
friends must then remaiu within doors for ten .lays; on tiro
twelfth they name tire child, and take it to tiro Pagoda b*
exhibit it before tire idol, before which Urey do reveronoo.
When the boy* of this net attain their tenth year, tho thread
is hung round their neck with much solemnity, by which
ceremony they are consecrated or sot apart ; ' tho head is
shaved at the same time, a tuft being left on tiro crown,
which they must preserve all tlreir lives as a mark of their
dignity.

Tire Csnareac. as we have said, maintain themselves by
trade Children of six or seven years old are set to work
at it, so that they grow up very sharp and cunning ; they
have no notion of honesty, and no dependence can be placed
on their word. If they want to obtain any thing from us.
they will keen on asking ft*r it in tire most unblushing man-
ner; but nothing cm be got from them witlrout the great-
est trouble. They defer paying their debts as long as pos-
sible. in order to gain interest on the money in the mean-
time; and wlicn reproached for their dishonesty do not take
it amiss, but assent to all that is said, caring little for hard
words. They are also very uncourteou*; if any one visits
their houses they will not even ask him to come in, and
think it a great lavour if they give him a cup of milk.

The Canarese are more numerous in lliu kingdom of Co-
chin than in other parts of Malabar. They dwell at a dis-
tance of about half a league from tho town of Cochin, pos-
sessing a lsuaar, and "Iron* of all kinds, which are usually
doaed during tire day. whilst tlreir owners are engaged in
business in the town, and O|*nod in tiro evening, when they
exhibit tlreir ware* for tbc native purcluwrx 'l ire women
do not mix in t.sde. but occupy Uiomsclva* in household
rare*. They are generally l<> bo soon sitting in tlreir door-
ways, gossiping together. If a European passes by, they
take refuge inside the house, but tlreir heads are soon soeir
peeping out at him; they are not shy of talking with our
women, but have very little idea of conversation. Their
house* are congregated in clusters, members of tho different
castes living together.

The solemnities ol nerved on occasions of death and burial

FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

133

aro nearly alike among all races of Brahmins. When tliu
Bandy t or physician has pronounced that there is no hope
of life, the sick man makes his will, and bestows some pre-
splits on his daughters. The priest then comes, and enquires
what heinous sins be has oommitted. exhorting him to ro-
lientonce ; his head is shaved, and he is washed with cold
water for Um purifying of his soul, after which he diatri-
butes alms, and prewenta the priest with a good milch oow,
which he must Iiold by the tail till ho dies. After his de-
mise his next of kin must have their heads shaved and let
their beards grow as a sign of mourning. The corpse is
covered with a white linen cloth, and carried out by four
men to be burnt, all the nearest friends and neighbours fol-
lowing it and the eldest son leading the procession and carry-
ing the tire destined to consume it When the party resell
tlio funeral pyre, wbteh with the wealthy is generally made
of sandal wood, the coroae is laid upon it and tlio son kindles
the Hame ; on the following day tho ashes are collected
and thrown into the river. Tl«e children of the deceased
must remain at home for twelve days after the funeral ; tlio
eldest son or next of kin dressing half a measure of rice each
day an<l making it into three balls, which, after they have
been set on the ground, are thrown into the water tank to
serve as food for the dead roan, litis ceremony is repeated
every mouth. During these twelve days of the find mourn-
ing the survivors may only eat once in the <lay, and must
abstain from betel chewing, the greatest of all |*nanoe$ for
an Indian. On the first anniversary of the dea th tliey givo
a great feast in memory of tlie deceased which is repeated
every year, but with less expense.

By the laws of tlic Qsnarau sons alone inherit, and that
in equal shares; the daughter* are- entirely excluded, mid
must lie content with their marriage iiortiona and whatever
their father may have given Uietn iu his life-time. Unmar-
ried daughters or widows, however, must I* supported by
their brothers If a man lia« no son. be ado]>tn Inn brother's
son. or any other male next of kin.

The Ca i larvae are divided into several castes, which dill’or
in rank and sanctity, but liave similar customs. . The Brah-
mins may follow no manual or commercial occupation, but
thin last restriction is but imperfectly obsarved. Most of
them arc priests, who are supported by tlio rajahs or the
other LVinarcxO ; some are pfiulgtao t physicians. The cash's
of the Pitnueivnr and the II'iinhui trade in all tilings which

LITTERS mull MALA OAK.

Iiavo not had life. The Sonar Are silversmiths, manv ol'
whom imitate the woe kmanahip of European* very skilfully.
The Is uae.ii? and the Currvuby carry the mcrcliandue of
tho other Canareso, and labour in their garden* and farrA.
The Banda aro soldier* ; they are not found in Ooehin, but
arc very numerous in Canarm and other diatricU : tho Por-
tuguese make um of tho aervicee of thoao who have embraced
Christianity.

The fvativala of the Canarm differ frum tlioae of tho
native* of Malabar, because among those heathens cadi
nation has seiiorate tutelary deilie*, in whose honour they
hold special leasts. Then are eleven of thaw festivals an-
nually.

1. The first is Immparoeah or New Yoar’a day which is
held in the month of March, when the days and night* arv
equal ; at this season tlie Canarese make merry, and wish
each other joy. bathing with certain ceremonies and putting
on new apparel : tlie priests announce, from their astrolo-
gical observations, which will prove unlucky days in the
ensuing year.

* 2. Tirunal is solemnised in the month of April, when
any one who chorees may go to the pagoda seven days in
succession and receive food, which it is the business of the
wealthy persons of their nation to provide. This feast is
held in honour of the building of their pagodaa At night
lumps are lighted, and they make all kinds of rejoicing, ami
adorn the elephants belonging to the Pagodas with costly
housings, making their Sonibuil before them.

•T The feast of Mantjemy is held in July in honour of
the cobra ca|«>lla, to which they offer milk and sandalwood,
placing them in the tree which the reptile inhabit*.

4. Tamtam Pounou is solemnised in August, when they
wind round their necks a new thread, the token of their
high caste ; this service is performed for them (whilst they
hond in reverence before the tiro,) hy the prioaU, who receive
some tin lams in return.

5. ill tlie some month, is a day of (icnitoncc,
when they absta in from food and drink for 24 hours, and
implore forgivunewi for tlieir sins.

ti. IFins a festival which lasts throe or four days,

is celebrated in Sc|*tcmber, in honour of tlieir Uoil Qonni-

Hi, whose image they form at that season, of wood, stone,
or silver, according to tlieir incan-% and piety. They allirni
that this deity was bom on a mount sin. having four arms

HEATIIKN rBTIVAU 137

and the trunk of an tlephant; and that they were divinely
commanded to keep this festival in his honour.

7. Ten days alter thia is kept Tjt HortUtk, a feast of
rejoiciug for the fruits Of the earth. It in celebrated in the
pagodas, which are hung round with every species of fruit
that can be procured ; and. aa in the Jewish least of tabor*
naclra (at least as kept in this oountry), the worshipper*
erect in their villages booths of green palm leaves and mis-
pend various fruits around than. This feast of the Cnnuix***
is attended by the rajah of Cochin in person.

8. Muuntnvj. the feast of U m school children, is n sort
of holiday to that dam. when they are ' released from school
for nine days and go about tJ»e Ik* uses of the Umaiw
singing and dremed in their costliest attire : they sometime*
enter the town on these Occasion* in their holiday trim.

9. Deicaly. is a feast celebrated at the end of October iu
memory of an act of divine benevolence, by which they wc*v
delivered from & powerful giant called' Nabakassof, who
had put to death many persons in tlieir country. On this
f'ce:vnon the people anoint themaelvu* at night with oil, and
bathe, and in t he morning nib their bodies with powder
giound from sandalwood ; throughout tire day they make
great banquets, and at night illuminate the lamps all round

10 . Terou. is the feast of pagodas, when tlieir idol
Millie Tapati is placed on a triumphal car and carried
about in state. To assist in drawing this car is regarded
as a mark of sanctity, and in some countries the people
Buffer themselves to be crushed under it/* wheels ; hen*
however they are wiser The car is drawn on amidst
shouting multitude*!, to the aound of music and drums, some
climbing upon it otlieni (tanging to iu side* like burn*,
whilst other* strew cocoanuU to be crushed under it ; the
BayudFrcs dancing around it all the time This festival
lakes place at the end of November.

11. In February in tin* fast of Chigma or Fortune. For
ton i lays Iwfore it begin*, drums are !** ten every evening,
and the ficople adorn themselves, with flowers till tltu fieri oil
of the full moon, when the festival commence*, nn.l in cole-
bra ted with great solemnity and many extravagance*.
Boat* full of water colored with turmeric are placed in tin*
I mzan in. and the people plunge into them, or sprinkle thorn*
selves with the content*, and run about in troops with
drummers and trumpeters; in the evening they have ex-
hibitions of giant* and giantesses, which are made to dance

1-KTTtR-S FROM MALA BAR.

138

\,y person* placed imude Uiew. or of*shi|n, elephants ami
other works of art In the meantime, the dancing girl* ex-
hibit their skill, the Canara* joining in the dance ; whilst
others carry about long arecn tree* on their shoulder*, run-
ning ns if they were inad, tho old and the idle hurrying
about with them, and exhausting their small strength.
These uivca trees are wound round with olan, and are final-
ly burnt, in memory of the terrible giant Kammrlja S owml .
who was burnt by Uieir deity.

So much for the festivals of tJio Canarcw. They have
a bishop who resides on the banks of the Ganges, and who
takes a journey once in eleven or twelve years to viait his
Hock in distant countries. He a cars no splrudid habiliments,
but lias only a cloth wound around him. a proof of sanctity
in the eyes of these benighted people. They are bound,
when he comes .inning them, to give him the tithe of their

C crty, but 1 will not vouch fin their conscientious |>cr-
-once of tills duty, hottver, the bishop always returns
laden with treasures to the banks of the Ganges, where he
inhabit* a large dwelling in which all tlie pilgrims who flock
by thousands to that river receive food and lodging.

The third class of foreigner* who are met with in Mala-
bar arc called Jogi*. It is a mistake to suppose that all the
Jog is are brahmin* : they are composed of persons from
various heathen nations who liave l>ound tliemsclves by a
vow to wander about as pilgrims cither for a term of years,
or for tbeir whole lives, gaining Uieir livelihood by mendi-
cancy. They pretend to a peculiar degree of holiness, and
the more to impress this ui«on tlie people, and to work on
their liberality, they wear the scantiest clothing, and disfi-
gure themselves frightfully, covering themselves with ashes,
and letting their hair and nails grow to an inordinate length,
till they Took like monsters. Some carry instrument* of
torture to castigate Uieir persons, the more to mislead tho
jmor | tropic. They sit idle Uie whole day with no occu-
pation lait tolauw smoking; and when they w-ant some-
thing to cat, thoy merely a*k for it, haring so little
modesty that if it is not given Uiem. they scold in
the strongest terms, not sparing tho rnjah* themselves.
They will sometimes sit down I ■•fore a man's door and re-
fuse to stir till they have got what they want I can be-
lieve that some may ado|* Uiis mode of life from a vain
notion of religion, but there is no doubt Uiat most of them
are great rogue*. European jews and chri«tains arc some-

HEATHEN' FESTIVALS. 13D

tiiiKv. found among (Item, who join them for the sake of ob-
taining tine jewel*, which are often bestowed on the jogis
by the wiperetitiou* people of Bengal, Coromandel, and Ool-
conda : they then aell their acquisitions by stealth, and con-
ceal the money in some aecure place, aa they may not cany
it about with thorn

With throe jogis may be claafexl the fakir*. muMulinau
pilgrim* who live in like manner by mendicancy, and in tlic
Mogul kingdom are often tho recipient* of the «plendid pro*
sent" which arc given to the monarch. Thu coast is an-
nually visited by fakirs from the East Indian islands, on
their wny to Mecca and Medina, who generally return wear-
ing dark grey cloaks they liave received there, garment*
which are so highly venerated that all their fellow-munul-
mans kiss thorn ; and these black mahometans, many of
whom look like thorough rogues, are held as great auJ
learned men when they return to their homes.

LETTER XXII I.

UaUUr ni.,p).. -Ksiipou* UUcImO U> tl» lnD|.)r.- Mol*

i'f culurcmOon.

I shall now give you a description of the temple* in Ms-
lulmr and their fona of structure.

They ere termed pagodas, or houm of the god*, who are
supposed to inliabit them and to receive in them the devo-
tion* of the pioua They are mostly built of stone ; the
grandest glitter with co|>|ier roof*. All tlio architecture I
lalenla of the heathen have V**n devoted to the erection
of these edifices : their dwelling* on tire other hand aru
wretched ; generally mere low mean hut* ; hut the temple*
lar surpass iu grandeur any of the royal palace*. I have
**en a highly ornamented pagoda at Cranganoor, in which
the gate way of the exterior gallery i* surmounted with an
arch of such skilful workmanship that even in Europe it
would he admired a* a work of art. We sometimes find
arches and facings of marble, a material not found in Mala bar
A wall furnished with a good front gateway encloses *
quadrangle; within this encbwurv is an empty uncovered
space, free to every one, even the Christians and the unclean
caste*. This reminds me of Uie court of the gentiles, in
Solomon’s temple. The pagoda itself stands in the centre of
this enclosure; tlic exterior of tl»o building consists of a
covered gallery open on the inside, though from without it
appears to he all one. This gallery, which traverse* all fuui
»ido» of the edifice may he likciusi to the second court <>t
the temple, frvouented by the priest* and Israelite*. Within
tlii* again atonqi the liousr itself, surmounted l»y a (minted
roof, and in the ccntrr «>f tins sanctuary there is a sqiiuio
Slone elevation like all altar, iu f«>nr corm-ra furnished with
four eoluniii*. on which stand* the idol. This image i* made
of various materials. I have seen silver *|«ciincn*; lljev
are sometime* gilt, hut cnp|*r is the most common material
I have n few of these in my poommion. which were takell at
the pillage of the rich pagrala of Pnu nc tour Namlnnri; they
give one a good idea of the Iratcousness of the gods liefotv
whom these people raw rate themselves. Some arc like-
nesses of men with clcplinnt' trunk*, others have four. «iv.

MALABAR TEMPLES

nr more artna, and othen two ur more lic*ul>. Tho tampion
are nil dedicated to special deities, a* was the case with those
of tho lireeka and Romans, and the patron idol in ouch
iwgoda prcaidea over the others; his form surpassing theirs
U>th in size and splendour. I have seen a oojmer cow at
the |wgudn at Cranganoor, almost as large as hie. Ah tho

t *l» are supposed to delight in illuminations, several lamps
>th iron ami copper, fastened into the walls of the second
curt on both aides, are lighted up on feast day*.

There are cavities along U»c walls of the inside gallery,
something like baking oveua. in which rajahs, princes, or

S -ivato individuals may deposit their treasures for security.

lie keya of these treasure chambers are always keyt by tho
proprietors, wlio may obtain aooen to them when they
please with the assistance of the brahmins who have the
reire of the temple. No Christian, jew, or moor, may pene-
trate into this sanctuary, though the gates arc suffered to
stand open, and we may approach as for as the threshold,
hut not near enough to obtain a sight of the interior; this
I have found by experience ; for if we attempted to intrude
too lar, we should be pushed back, as Uie temple would be
|K>I luted, and must then undergo fresh consecration and
various ceremonies in order to render it tit again for the ofti-
iw of religion. This would be tlie case even if we were merely
to enter the tanks or well* in which tlie brahmins, bound
by their law, bathe daily ; they would be contaminated and
require fresh consecration to purify them. For their folly j*
such tliat they imagine that purity conaisU not in the cleanli-
ness of the .soul, but of tliat of tlie body. Not alone men of
other religious are prohibited from entering their temples,
but the same rule U extended even to the low uml despises!
•uste.s among themselves, u practice which runs counter to
the notions of all other nation* For a* the mere touch of
these miserable creatures would defile a brahmin or n mem-
l«er of the biglx-i castes, -o would t licit pivsenoe the tcinnlu
"I the gods, of whose favour and notire they are unworthy.
The daily service* <>f tl»e tcni|de consist of prayer* and de-
votion* Offered tinea times a day. morning, noon, and night.
The devotees peramUiblc the outer court tliriue, making
their aomfai*. or reverence (a gesture performed by bending
forward and striking the forehead with clasped luuidsj, each
time they come Opposite the door of tlw pagixla Tho
brahmins ol*scrve a similar routine in the innermost gallery
«»l the sanctuary, muttering prayer* all the time Then tho

1*2

I.KTTEKS FROM MALABAR

first priest Steps up to the altar and sprinkle, holy water
kiuI flowers on Uk> image, which act form* the duily sacrifice,
for no blood must bo shed in or new tire tcmnlo. KsUite-
are invariably attached to the pagoda* from winch they de-
rive considerable reveuues i and their wewlUi is inctoaaod by
the offering* and alius of Urn fiulhful. 1 saw at Portud two
done imago*, man and woman. which have sUmd for age*
l,y the side of the river, so near, tlrat in the rainy season
they or® Hooded ; bag* lusng from Uieir necks to receive tiro
oH'eiing* of paasenger* on the river, who throw into Uiem a
.HHtinn of their fruit*. rice. nely. ic.. as an alms-giviiig U*
the adjacent pagoda. Rich |*guda* arc lairdencd with n
number of brahmin*, perliaps 200 or 500, who inu*t be fed :
for so these Malabar priest* cunningly contrive U> bo sup-
ported gratis. Beside* this, at many of the rajahs courts
places called nutrroe. where food is dispensed to any
bralimin who demand* it There is <»no good Uiing about
those pagodas, that Urey furnish provision for any wayfarer*
of Uieir own religion, who resort to them ; rice is never re-
fused. They serve in Uib respect like hospitals or charita-
ble establishments, where a man. however poor and desti-
tute he may be. cm always find shelter. .....

I had almost forgotten to state, that when in the daily
service the priests come to the performance of the Soiubaie.
or reverence, die first priest Ik.IiU up the image while die
others bend their knees to it.

On certain national fca»U a solemn procession takes place.
The idol, finely ornamented and placed in a palanquin or
set up on an elepliant and covered with a canopy, i* pa-
raded about accuniiouicd wiUi music, and every txxiy must
perform the Somhaie before it Thus still exist* die pro-
.•esrion of Uic tabernacle of Moloch. which, among the
Kgyptiana, Syrian* and other Gentile*. used to cause the
ilmaren of Isnu-1 to *in. Tito k.w c*4r» who may not miU-i
the temple, are |»-nnittcd t*» attend «t a distance on *>iue
of tltoe occasion*. mid to deposit tlwir donation* of fitiinin*
before the temple: for Umugh not admitted, they are
impelled to contribute to iu aupfioit, a* if it were a pri-
vilege so to da They pome* temples of their own con-
structed of dried |«lm leave* ; and if tln-y could afford U>
build them of stone tliev must yet cover them with palm
leaves : they have no brahmin* for their priests, but mem-
bers of their own caste minister Uie office* of religion.

Near some pagodas, a* thorn ofVaMurti and Montoi:.

trainees AT THE TKXPLEs. 113

'•utside tl*e enclosure Maud* a nt which the Naira,

who are |iermiM*d to partake of the fl«*h of nil animals
except cow*, offer muri&xm of Mood : litre also they offer
up vown to their deities to obtain the hoon of fertility for
their estate*, promising in return to sacrifice ao many cocks.
When the day for the mcrifico arrives, thousands assemble,
«nd the Naira official* at the solemnity in place of the
brahmins, who may not touch tl* bodies of dead animals.
'Hie chief called Htlka Par* first advance*. cuts off the
head of a cock which he throws on tlie ground, letting tlm
Wood run on the stone, and then lie takea the body homo
to hi* house, and devours it witli his family. The others
in succession follow his example, each sacrificing and eating
his .own cock. In the consecration of a new pagoda
the building is first sprinkled with water and the leaves
of the Ixora, and then smeared with oowdung ; this done
ten or twelve cows, as sacred beasts, are tied up inside
the building and fed with grass ; then with waters
token from four source*, the Ganges, the sea, the river
near which tlie pagoda stantb, and the opposite side of
the same river, tliey sanctify tlie idol, the presiding
genius of tlie temple': they next take a number of dishes
(they must not be fewer than 49 — but generally there are-
as many as 101 of them) made of gold, silver, copper or
stone, filled with raw rice and covered witli [sixty coloured
cloths, over which are strewed flowers and figures represent-
ing the 27 Stars under the influence of which tlie days of
the month are placed These figures are made of gold or
silver, on each of which tlie name of the star is inscribed.
These dishes remain iu the pagoda for a period of 21 or *1
• Uys according to pleasure, during which tiino the brahmins
assembled to the wmc numl.-r tluvt tliere- are dishes, offer
up prayers to tho tri une ffodbead, Hrama, Vishnu and Siva;
when this is over, a fire lighted in the quadrangle must bo
brought before tlie altar, on which tho imago is then art up.
and fastened with moitar mixed up of various adhesive
mi ha tanev*. pearl-dust, sugar, honey, mke, isc, and the brah-
min* must bo regaled for eleven or twelve days.

If tlw temple were to lie polluted by the presence of a
christ in ii or a member of tlie low canto*. 21 dishes of water
with flowers must be into. lured to purify it, tlie idol must
be washed again with tlie four waters, a feast lasting for
three day* must be given to the Nam boon c*. and tlie temple
swept thrice « day and smeared witli cow dung.

LETTER AX1Y.

Hnnanlitiaas "I lb. Mm-H« Ibrj ibrtr heuM.- 1 Wi

,!k„ m anliMi lb. r.il.,. A*r—- .« MUdiag

•poet f.* lb. Kola U«, %n4 lb. — c< dn-X -L«cliy

■•'ll sslaAjr Dw-

In thin letter I propor to satisfy your curiosity respecting
the superstitious practice* and opinion* which prevail
alining the benighted heathen, in the midst of whom I am
at present sojourning

A member of the higher caste* will never inhabit his
newly built house, until it ha* been solemnly purified and
i-unsccraied by the priests ; because it is supposed to haw
been defiled by the builders, who belong to an unclean
caste. Among the grandee* the ceremony of consecration
lakes place in the following tiu-nner. An idol is carried
thrice round the h<>u»c. to the wjund of trumpets, and de|*>-
sited before the eastern door The priests then enter the
house, and having laid some cowdung mixed with ashes on
a jtuang* leaf they mutter some prayers over it, after whidi
a Naiuboori sprinkle* the houae,firat willi water from a copper
I main in which arc placed the small red flowers of the Ixora
shrub called by the Portu"ue« FouU Paran, and then with
the cowdung; the idol is then brought inside the house,
and tho Namboork* proceed to eat ««»ioe calces These
ceremonies duly |«er formed, a great feast is lield outside the
how*, tin- f<*«l estimating of nee. butter, pi-mg, milk and
eiirry ; the guest*. who lutve been first thoroughly smeared
with oil (like tin- nncient heathens. w!m> used to anoinl
their guesU as a mark of honor), sitting cmss-leggcd around
tho building. While on the subject of their house*. I must
mention their superstition about the east door ; when they go
out for the first tune in tl«e morning it must always be through
this entrance, which i* considered lucky, because from it

• Tbe pi ■*•7 » IN' .tree. <«/«*■.« Brtrt -out i-tlm (Tiui), Swi Brsmlo.

Dirt «( Sens**., te

COSSECIUTIOX OF HOCUS.

145

they first behold the morning sun. before which they
bend with reverence.

They are in the habit of setting up a Molik or figure in
t heir Held*, young plantation*. and house*, and particularly
in their roada : not lor the purpoac of aatring the birds, an i*
done in Europe, but to act aa a charm against the evil eye.
This Molik may be the image eiU*er of an idol, a man. or an
<»|». nr sometime* it is merely *ome kind of painted veaeel.
It' the eye of a per*on po s s e sse d of a malign a*]>ect fnll on
this object, it i* rubbed of all i»owcr of working tniadiief
either to planU or to anything el**. Thia mipeiatition prevail*
not only among the heathen ; for then' are aome Christian*
who are for ever talking <* the Tctcn Olkot. 1 was told by
the Dutch Official at Paponetti, that there was a Mocqun
chief living there, whose countenance was supposed by the
native*, to be endowed with thia pernicious influence; so
that he was entreated never to enter fields when the plant*
were in bloom, leet he should injure them ; which request
he observed. • They imagine that this evil eye works no
harm to the lands and plants of the possessor, but rather
increases their fertility.

LJn commencing the building of a bouse, the first prop
must be put up on the east side; the carpenter* open three
or fiiur coeoanuts, spilling the juice as little as possible, and
put some tips of hetel have* into them ; and, from the wav
those float in the liquid, they forotel whether the house will
be lucky or unlucky, whether it will stand for a long or
short period, and whether another will ever lie erected on
its cite. I have been told that the heathen* say that the
destruction of fort Paponetti by our arm* was foretold by
the builder* from these auguries. They reccivo for the per-
formance of this rite one or two Owhin fannins, three mce-
Hure* of rice, and a garment worth three fanam*. ,

There is an odd *ha|ird tree railed a Knlu, tTw atom of
which seem* to he fnnnad l<y aovend twisted brandies grow-
ing into each otlicr. ft is generally very large, and its
spreading branches shoot out roou. many of which fix the in-
aolvei* in the ground, thu* furnishing fre*li*noinishin<'iit to
enable the branches to extend further. TVm tree is esteem -
oil Mered, and i* hung about with lamp* whidi are lighted
up in tlio evening * They have a legend, that the chief of
the minor gods. Cheruman by name, aw* dcapatched by the
supreme deity to introduce certain improvement* on the
earth. Fatigued by bis long journey through n dreary

LETTERS HtOU MALABAR

ur.

wildenic** without food .*r drink. lie stretched himself
lencatli the shadow of the banian tree to seek repose and
refreshment; and hU object was ao marvellously effected
tlmt he arose with his strength as completely renovated an
if lie had iwrUken of a hearty meal In memory of thin
event, this tree is dedicated to the pagodas in the neighbour-
hood of which one in always to he found : they are also
planted there for the refreshment of departed souls: for the
majority and the moat intelligent of these heathens believe
that in the beginning, the deity created a certain number ol
-ouk which inhabit sometime* human and sometimes brute
I -.dies ; hut tliat on quitting human bodies the souls rv|io*e
for a century under the refreshing shade of the banian, after
which they transmigrate into other bodies, either of men or
of beast* according to their conduct during their ps«t life.
It. is considered a piece of great good fortuuc totransniigrate
into the body of a white cow; whilst to pass into that of a
I ai Halo is just the reverse, a a dial animal undergoes great
ill-ti eatmenf at the hands of the Malabara. being the object
of their utmost contempt and aversion.

The people believe that during the intermediate period ol
a hundred veare. the souls, of the departed visit their de-
scendant*. They therefore prepare, either within or with-
out their houses, little apartment* or huts, which are fresh
smeared every morning, and furnished with a small bench,
about a foot in length and a hand breadth from tho ground,
on which toddy is placed; which, in the evening, as the de-
puted spirit* have not touched it. they themselves drink,
and it is considered a lud lowed beverage. They always
put osiile a little rice at their meals, or strew some grain*
on the ground for Uicre ghosts: and if they have more in
the dUli than they can cat. they throw out tho. remainder b>
the crows, ami this also is put to the account of tlio spirit*.
They |wrform n ceremony like thin on the fen*t of tho souls,
in the month of July,

Tliey enrey their idea* of witchcraft to on unequalled
piteli ; to this influence tho ino-t dire diseases are imputed
in many place*, and it i« «aip|-*wd to have power both to
• mum* mid cure tliein. so that apothecaries and doctor* would
lind it difficult to obtain a livelihood here : tliey are l«M
foolish in tlio neighbourhood of Cochin. It i* said (by
(he majority, that is) that there exist 36.000 demons, of
whom a few are good; and the worst among them are
Tjith Panniktrri, Tjmfjrtdi and Co>Ji Movlootoe Panni-

THE DOCTRINE OK DEMONS.

1*7

kerri. Theyaacribc to these spirit* the power of occupying
the bodies of men whose aouU have deiauted : tliey have no
power over Christians, even those wuo are ho merely in
uiune not in heart Every individual has his own special
.demon whom be serves, and who in return aamta him in
the execution.of hi. project* They suppose that if a man
Inw no other way of venting hie wrath on liis adversary. In-
can send his own demon to do it for him To effect this
purpose ho must make an image of the demon, .and )>crforni
certain ceremonies before it upon which it acts foitli, and
nmails the victim with all kinds of diseases, madness, con-
vulsions. iic. In order to discover whether these disorders
proceed from natural causaa or from malign influence, the
friends of the patient repair to a Cuimtuni or soothsayer,
who determines the question by the result obtained from
counting up some cowries, and can also iudicate the person
from whom the evil spirit was sent; the latter immediately
confesses his guilt, or if he refuses, is brought before the ra-
>'b and compelled to do so. while the sufferer on his part
nntet promise to make restitution of any thing to which tin-
other party had a lawful claim. The exorcism proceeds as
follows. A man of the washerman caste is introduced who
has a drum sha|«d like an hour glass ; he describes u magic
circle on the ground within which lie makes various diame-
ters, in red and white, and then throws in pieces of betel
leaves, rice, turmeric, Ixora flowers, areca nuts, tobacco,
palm loaves, and date shells, A woman taken from the
household of tlie |«rty who baa employed the uid of the
demon, is made to sit down facing the circle, clothed in a
white garment, Iwr hair floating loose, her anus folded, and
carrying on her Immoiu a cashew nut leaf The washerman
now boats his drum, singing at the Mine time a magic *.ug
on which the unclean spirit quits the |wticnt and enters the
•saly of the woman, who imiiKsliulcly vt* un a tremendous
howling, and la-gins U. jump about like a mad woman: then
the demon speaking through her voioo nniiouno-s the re-
wards he oxpecta and the rite* to la* performed in return
for the alacrity with which he has executed tin- mission of
liis employer. Tlieae Wing promised. the spirit leaves the
woman, who fall* down as if dead and lic« in this posture
for an hour; at Ukj expiration of which the waahermon takes
sway all that he put in tlie cindc and eata it with hi» house-
hold : he receives four fanams in |oyim>nt for his seiviee; a
like sum is also |>nd to the CVnniam-

I is LITTERS FRO* MALAIlAR

Tho official at FkponeUi told me that he liad witiicttsed
very •tiuiigo effect* from Uh-»c exorcisms at which he had
himself sometime* been colled in to kcoji order. On one
occasion, a woman wm* brought in to him. very ill, to all
apjwnnuux* dead. Her friciMl* complained, that on evil spirit
had been sent to her by a Nair woman, whom they piodue-
ud, ami that tlic laticnt bail bun seven day* without food,
like n corpaa. The accused was asked whether the Ulo
were true; she replied in the affirmative adducing a* tlm
motive, that a little piece of gold, worth about two rix dol-
lars, which she had inherited and wore ao on ornament on
her nock, had been stolen from her. The officer commanded
her to recall the spirit; this dm performed with tho usual
rites, and tho sufferer who lay inanimate, opened her eyes,
in his presence, asked for cheese and betel, and in short wa»
restomi to perfect health and walked home.

These people are also addicted to the observance of lucky
and unlucky day* ; Monday and Thursday come under the
latter category, and Sunday under the former. Tito last
day of the mouth is unlucky. It is a bad omen to meet a
cat or a snake, on first going out in the morning, and they
will turn lack to escape passing it : this they will do also if
a crow flies post on the left hand ; on the right hand it is
considered lucky. It is a good sign to sneeze with the face
turned towards tlic house from which they have come out,
but w ith the face turned in the direction in which they ali-
gning it is unlucky. Leo is tlie most propitious sign of the
iodine, and it is a -piece of good fortune to be bom, and
business is Iwst executed under its influence. Thus you
see, dear friend, how superstition rules this land.

LETTER XXV.

Utiitcn lb. Cfem-tu*** M IC-4, 8crH|4uir, «.,! lb..* ol 4 |„.

OmW. Smmi. A* k^i »| i b« («* J.J . -I «U

The science of chronology has ever proved one of the mont
.1 iHicult subjects which have engaged the attention of the
learned, who havo not a little inrreaaed iU parpUxity by
attempting to reconcile the system of Holy Scripture with
thoec of tile gentiles : Uiis wnw to me a hopeless endea-
vour. for ail die tradition* of eastern nation*. Are extrava-
gantly fabulous and inconsistent widi cadi other. This i*i
very conspicuous among the nations of the East Indies,
where the chronological systems of China, Pegu, and Mala-
bar. arc totally distinct. How therefore can wo rely uiion
them ? The system of Holy Scriptures on die other hand, is
l>oth genuine and simple, nyraung a regular succession of
"vents, and seasons. & Augustine remarks with justice in
his work he CivUaU Dei ; “ We need not doubt that those
things related byprofkne writers whidi are contrary to
the statements of Holy Scripture are also, for reason teaches
us that wlmt God through his Holy Spirit sjieakuig to us in
the Holy Scriptures relates, is more worthy of credit than
the words of men. because he can foretel long before the
things which are to hajipcii."

If wo apply this passage to d* dironohigical theory in
vogue among the Malabar. We shall arc contiirnation of it.
truth, Tliey artirn. that many thousand Centuries have
claimed fiorn the creation of the world to the presout time.
“i»'l lh«*y make use in dwir reckoning of time, of certain
|<cnod* which they call him Variumim sU|i|— hhI to.hu
divinely appointed; each of dies* period* or cycles consists
of 365 years, 3 months. 2 days, ami 30 hour., mid several of
tli«>M- him Kunusut* make up a great cycle or ago consist-
ing of some thousands of year.

The first age from die creation of the world is called
UritU. f>im, and this lasted foi the sjoioc of 4,800: Dim
VunitmtiH amounting to a jwriod 1,753,210 years 6
months, 2 » day*, and 16 hour-

130

LETTBfU* KHOM MALABAR

Tlio second age T>*d«-U'jan. contained 3,GoO D V, ui
1.31 1,908 yearn, 10 month*. 8 day*. 14 hour*

Thu third nge Ihiamra-Uyutn, contained 2,400 D. or
N72.WM) yews. 4 month*. 12 daya. 9 Iwur*.

Tlic fourth age Cali Uaum, will consist of 12.200 D. V ,
or 138,032 year*. 8 luontha. 6 day» and M hour* ; of tills
age only 4,827 yearn have elapacd up to the preaent time.

While on thia sulject we must ohnerve, 'Uiat the year
logins in (Mober (which they call Talla-Miumim) and that
encladay e. divided into 60 bourn

The above-mentioned system of chronology i* only pre-
served and adhered to in tlieir temples; in Uieir daily in-
tercourse they make use of certain epoch* and era* which
are mentioned in tlieir lej-al documents and leUer*.

In the low lands *>f Malabar, especiallv in the kingdom of
Cochin, there are two of these era* The first is the year
Coilajn or Cottlma, which takes its name from the northern
Coilani. the place whenoe, after his (lartition of the king-
dom, Cheraniperouinal started.- eitlier for the Ganges, or.
according to the Moors, for Mecca. The cunvnt year, 1723.
they date the year of Coilam 899.

The second era the year Pooda Yoijn ini ; which they
call the new style, was first established when the island o!'
V vixen was recovered from tlic sea and inluthitcd by men
Tins was 383 year* ago.

In the high lands of Malabar, and in oilier heathen na-
tions, there N another system of cycles of GO year*. This
was ordained by tlic prophet Paruesc Khiiiiiil Each of tlio
<50 yours ha* a peculiar name, an that it may he always
known how many year* of the cycle liave run. When tin-
nuinbor U complete they begin again from the beginning.

They divide the year into 12 months; tin- find dnv of
eiich month, corresponds with thc'tiiirtcviitli or fourteenth of
ours.

Majcnium

ix Jam .

U-* y* 'Ur*.

CaixWajptu

<«r July

lws.1l

t'mfiUuu

Fchr

thiiocaiii

•w-

— 31

Mvtniui

March

— »»

CMm

-34

Malta

April

— 31

T.'Jam

Oct.

— is

(ukUtura

May

— 31

VradMoui

Nuv.

— *»

Mrtbmnuu

June

— M

btui^

1 tw.

— ill

There are certain annual festivities universally observed
t«f. On the 1st «Uy of the month Madum. tliey celebrate
the feast Biloc or the New year; not tint the year com-
mences then, but at the se as on of the ile]niturc of the Km-

I.IST Or PK4STK

l.»i

pew Chonunperoumal in Se|rtcinbcr t from which era they
•late. In tho morning of this day. Uiey |>ui some gold into
a copper basin, and scatter Ixora flowers about; besides
distributing money or food, and illuminating, after which
they bathe. Thia least ia solemnized in honour of Vishnu.

2nd. They hold another feaat called Paft<imo«lay>‘m
on the 10th of the aame month, when Uioy aay Uiat the hum
line attained its meridian, and the days and night* are of
••(|ual length. They are accustomed on this day to offer
v«.wa in th* pagodas. to illuminate witli lam pi, they
curry the idola about in procession. and tire cannons or
guru*, which latter i* a religious ceremony uaed on high
occasions. These solemnities, whidi last for forty days and
terminate in tlie PatUnmedasjam, are dedicated to the sun.

3rd. On the new m»on of the month of July, they keep
the feast Raauw with fasting and prayora on account of the
arrivfl of the sou la of their departed ancestors, who they
believe visit tlieir house* on that day. They prepare and
set food outside for them, which food becomes the projxerty
of the crows : and the dwellers by the sea shore bathe for
the purification of the said souls.

*f A. In August comes tlie feast Onccm ; or the birth-day of
Sida. the wife of Sri Rama or Vishnu. This is observed
by some people for four day*, by others for seven. They
mine a hillock in front of their dwellings, smeared with
eowdung and strewed witli flower*, on which they set up
the image of Vishnu, clothed in a new garment, and provid-
ed with an ojwn cocoanut for food. Those castes who mx;
allowed to partake of fish must almtain from it on this day,
and the upper people distribute garment* to their servant**.

:>lk. Sixteen day* after Unam comes tlie feast of M> i-
'jam in honour of Parammiri, or Panxidi , the wife of
1‘nnuneswari or Vishnu in another form. For, ns you must
know, they teach, that Vishnu underwent thirteen tnuianii-
gmtion*. The cere monies observed on tlii* occasion resemble
those of the j (receding feast

IMA. Thi* same fra*t of Jf<opn* or Onam i» lield also in
September or even in Octohrr. in memory of the goddess
/SitrnlcaUi nlv> called Pa^oili. The ceremonies coincide
with those of tho feast of Ona. excc|*t that taken arc to I*.-
> diked with sugar ami laid before the goddess.

7lh. The least Tirmotdira i* celebrated in DeoemW.
'J'his is an occasion of mourning and laiiM-nUtion among tlw
women, who now complain to the gods tint they lmve not

KTTERS raou MAI.* DA a

152

U-CI1 equally endowed intellectually wiUi man : They must
not sleep all the night, nor partake of cooked rice.

N/A. In January they observe the feast Pa, my, the
birth-day of Pagndi Sri t^ouroumha, when they kill aevernl
eockn nml offer them before tiie Pagodas: Tho Brahmin-
"to excluded the temples for three days on thia occasion.

!»/A. This feast to Parmy is also held in February ; and
»l Paldurti in Cochin in March; when a party <>l Nail*
U.und by an oath, cause Uiemwlvc* to bo suspended by an
imn paaaed through the akin of their backs to rawing (win/
iiikI remain thua hanging for some time and fencing with
-word and shield : a frightful spectacle ! On this occasion they
exhibit various image*, marching them about in procession
us the Papists do on Shrove Tuesday; and thus it ia n great
time for mom- making. It is the only festival to which all
nwtes, even the lowest, are admitted, and it lasts two days.

It us dedicated to the sister of Pagodi or tbc goddegs Sri
( ourouraba, called Assagia.

10/fi.r In this month abo is celebrated the feast Otl Pou-
"im or consecration, in memory.of the visit of the sea god to
the Pagoda Arul poUa; a stone yet remains standing by a
little stream at the corner of the Pagoda in memory of tbi-
t-vent : Nearly 2 >.000 pilgrims repair here on this day. *

IlfA. In March ia lield the feast Oehagarr^ when the-
idols are carried atuiil in a palanquin or on an elephant, ac-
companied by armed men who make all kinds of rejoicing
with trumpets, games, and .lances. The last day of (hloa</avi
is the feast Proe Ona on which occasion they batho. Thi-
fciist is celebrated in memory of Siva and Vishnu.

1 2/A. Eight days after, the feast A •/ami takes plaoo ; on
■ liis day (which is alao an annual fair) the souls in torment
have recourse to Seeva, and Ur- festival is celebrated with
great solemnity in the templo of Coureur *

I Iwpo I have not wearied you witl 1 this subjoct. for
‘hough not a pleasant one. it is needful in order U. form an
niTiimtc id« «>f tho part of the world in which I now
reside.

LETTER XXVI.

Accomtl o I lit. P.pper, T-r»-V. C*r4»»cm, u* Are* ol MoUbu.

You wIk. live am iJ the bustle of.tmle. and daily land
your inagaxincs with cortly ware* collected from all quarter*
of the world, will doubtless ^ inUresUd in reading about
l he commerce of Malabar. and the commodities it afford*,
which it shall be the purpoae of this letter to deecnb*

Pepper, the cheapest but by no means tlie least useful ol
-luces, is the duef production of Malabar, and is collected in
Mich abunibuicc and good quality, that thw oountry may
justly be styled the Mother of Pepper * It grows well in
the lowlands, but with far more luxuriance in the olevntuil
tracts and along the hills and mountains.’ It is not planted
in open fields, but in the d<*e neighbourhood of tree*,
-round which the bnuid.es climb as the plant requires *mp-
i-irt Tim leaves an- large, and the pcp,Hr-coms spring
flora them, clustering in rt>ws dose- tn the stems. Tb«r
colour is green. These plant*, which climb to a great height,
hist generally for eighteen or twenty yeans when other
grafts or -hoots are substituted for them. When the pem-cr
in dried, it acquire* a black colour, occasioned doubtless by
it* natural beat ; as is .lira c*« with doves, which when firrt

• Tito Hliuk myrr *

M»UW ami TiSTjitort,
l.i Kur •wim Muiliin (fun* •*«

• ( Ilia MO.Ua. p-rf" U
>r»y •in>|tU, iut4 U ifclfJ

to (lie folr-t* if

AitWagh pv-ln* In other o-iulrif-
U U., l«l lie cnlll.ntiun I*
,Un.i 1*1., r* tlir con
but i( On min li

. fa.tr. b. alh. — I o. wo.—Ul- U* U- jmmg |JsaU u> «l'« ^
, • lit liar* vnn It. III. i.-rtu. «<• tre. They *r* |4»n**il m lt.ll>

Millibar

I ioStly bark.

•liter. 4u*H*r 4— 4p«— Twt

,*e Piper •4r*n>) **

„►» (- <.r.tar>o« l-e*.
that AlUnxtgli Riv-

HE* W o— nierel UtalbU

.tv, „s, ,o J.«, T1-* -»l 4*«M u McL.

>i.-l 0. ore U~ r-S* U- joimji

.... 0- .... u*U.«- l~r. They W. |J«n»o

H K r .. X l i* the KnlWs tUO- mM. U.l.ff. Ire, »*l
■iii.il.r li in i il — They elunbsbwtl *• or SO (wl, l«i« or-
D-H^s <>~*

» t. peu-ni. U

iiMkm,

After ibe kn* lu«. U«
tnrnlu* Ira* ml w. U-*>-
il t« only lUy nlll

nl Wrt'l*.
In iIibimis

t ’ae •II"'.

K'l (rout i‘*

Lrrrem nto* uai-aimr

plucked are white, but when tliey lave been laid i*ut (o dry,
blue l( spot* up|mtr and spread b y dcgm«. till (be wltole
dove wtuinw a dark hue. Tlie unripe poiijuT-coiiui which
get sometime" mixed with Ui« ripe oires. dry away into |*>w-
«|er, or shrivel up. owing to tlw heat of the latter. For this
reason the howl India « otnpany never take new luppor by
weight, but let it lie bye &>rsonw months in warehouses till
the unripe cun* Imv* had time to deeny ; and the had uni
then winnowed from the good in Uie pretence of llic met*
than to.-

Many persons erroneously suppose that. the white and
Mock pepper ore different plant* This is not tin* oun. I
hove been told here tliat there are two methods of manufac-
turing the former from the loiter ; either by oorrodiug fJin
upper coating of the corn with lime, or by laying it aside
for ten or twelve years, when the outer coat will dry oft',
and the pepper-corn appear white.

The pepper of Malabar b that roo*t prized : yet it b not
equally good in all part* of the country. The pep|>er pro-
duced in South Malabar and Quilon b smaller than that of
the North. No difference Iiowever b discernible in the fruit
when exported, os iC is all mixed together. It is the principal
article of trade of the India Company in Malabar; it is

calculated that they purchase on the avenge *(1110,000 lbs.
mutually, collecting it in the factories of Cochin, and Chet-
wa in the North, and of Porcid. Ktdly-Quilon, Quilon ami
Peaa in the South. The sovereigns of these places, and
those likewi-e of Tckkenkoor and llerkcnkoor, who send
their pepper to Pore id, have mado an agreeuMBt with the
Fast India Company not to supply thin article to any other
nation. We cannot help saying that ouch a stipulation is

IKIUC «-ln. Ui. rip* tern*. mv-'r.n-l In tilt far Uir bui|imw. In

iIm. LiUw owtlajinaalUr, «i a -Lit* anWw, and Uavii a I...

aromatic or u a. TW p*w— him m **17 uauiann In ill. lull*

ili.tiv U ot TiariuuMT* **|H*iaH/ in C'anjWl, Mrmatl- 1. and Uimptio -In ny
dUliM*. >U», at in aver-j. eiktlaUa, aU.a a.OOO uurdtra on |m*lu,»d
annually.

l»i*X («*•»!*. U*sUtgM) U aMl- mMiatol tfrtles. It U

».uldr |«..|.igaU-l If ,*U.ngt •!» annul, and tlir r-"4» lit. („r

MTtral irtn, M*t » k*B «nlu*«lnl. ••■.ly twM On** or f.nit empa, after
whldl I My tarm to barm. »»K» flat and v< b- r«*i wivl by f„,h

planting Tlw b-mea of Urn afaoaa d ar* lt-1g»-i in a |Milpy "isU"

Ilka lh.*o of P. ntjrum . TVy r*-*. "ben ripr. Belnu

hotter •ben j.-npn. tbry ar» then athrsnl and drind in ihe mui, when they
rbing* to a Alik grtj (oionr- The •; i«~ •" imp.Sd tntx>. The Uat<-
■if the bwnWa M puogvnt U. raiW taint. V -r fmtbrr infurtOMiuli uu
Ih" trtf.<iUe pwhMaot MaliUr. ter bin ft oactul (ImU ot India

THE TVADE IN rEITER. I '»t>

hard both upon the subjects and the K-ttlers ; fob it give* tlm
bM India Company the monopoly of Malabar products, and
the settler* have no choice of a market, but must perform
sell to the Company when they might obtain a much higher
price from pther countries. It i* true they often find mean*
of exporting their pepper by sUsdth ; bat a* there are ofttoera
(anted all round the eea ooaat, these "muggl*! go-si* are
often seized and confiscated to the Company. The native
prince* KMMlinM participate in these smuggling transac-
tion*, though they never dare to oonfem it, being bound by
contract to nmbt the Company. And indeed in tlieir oontract*
with that body, they have looked well after their own in-
terests ; for they have secured the privilege of exporting on
their own account 100 or 'more handies, which they sell to
the merchant* at a good price. The contracts are renewed
every /car, wlien the Hast India Company send two mcm-
beni from the council to make an agreement about the price
with the merchants, in the presence of the Rajah* o{ Fordid,
Kully-Quilon, and Quilon. When U»e price i* settled, pre-
sents are offered to tlmM: prince* In Cochin and Chetwa,
however, tlii does not take place, the price in those coun-
tries being always fixed. The pepper costa generally 1 H or
12 ducats per kandy of 500 lbs: but this sum doe* not all go
to the merchants, a* they are obliged to pay a duty of half
a ducat in some places, and more in the south, to the Rajah
of the country.

The East India Company have never succeeded in persuad-
ing the rajahs of Tra van core and Colastri. and still less
the Ziunorin, to enter into a similar compact, because they
are aware that it mu«t be prejudicial, to their interests For
being free to sell their pepper to any one.’ they have the ad-
vantage of being able to demand a much higher price for it ;
and they also prevent its beiug properly sifu-d and cleansed,
*o that it is very inferior in quality Hd" pepper ia chiefly
(•ought by the English, and sent not only to Europe, but
through private t-ader* to Pend*. Surat, Mocha, Coromandel,
ami llengal, thereby causing detriment to tlio Company’s
traffic in those parts.

The French are engaged in this trade at Calicut, ami the
Dimes at Kdilawa, a place near Quilon : but having little
money and less credit, it is but little they can accomplish,
The new mcrcliant* of Ostend also are fa-ginning to taku
|“«rt in it ; but as they pay too high a price for their pep|ter
\u* well as for their linen goods), it is probable they make

LETTERS PROM V AH HAP

l*M* little profit by it The Zamorin has granted to the
chief prince* of Malabar the exduaive right of exi« n

ciuet prince*
tlii>* article.

|K»rting

1 he second plant that flourishes her* and U exiioi ted to
huro|*. ia the turmeric, railed by the native* Hu ni-Buryi,
or native saffron Tbia root is found in South Malabai.
hut too poor for .exportation by the Company : tl»ey purchase
tho better sort, which grow* m Use north, in the territories
°* u,,! 1 ^nionn and CWaatri. The turmeric plant closely
ivseuiblea ginger, both in ita root and leaf, and i* planted
every year. When rine, the root U cut up. steeped in
water, and then spread on mat* or clotlis to dry in the sun.
It i* used in Europe, as a dye. and in India in the pi*|*ra-
lion of a dish they call curry.’ which has # yellow colour.
Its price is 10 ducats per kandy. and the East India Com-
|«ny collect at Calicut and Cannanore generally 2<Kl kamliv*
in a season.

The third production of Malabar which is exported to
Europe is the cardamom; I am not await that the true
caidainom grow* in any other part of tlie world*. Two
dinerent species of this plant are found liere.: one in Cochin
or >South Ma'^bar, and the other, generally known bv the
name of Cannanore cardamom, in the kingdom of Cotastri.

I lie hrat Ls the poorest of the two. and is not exerted bv
tlie East India Company, but by tbe inlmbitanU, the Eng-
lish and others, who send it to Surat. Persia. Mocha, Coro-
ma ndel, an d Bengal, where the mwHvImane use it in their

* Tbe eshbnoaa o t oxainrr?* lKkU.rU onUoo-nm] bn tolUer «dli..l

*•' " r -iU- la «b. TnruKor* tom*. ttoy »n |..md at clr.su

M thr* ^ Sic Itonunad fcoC Tke —to W .ktoi,,,.* tkeui It to clew tto
, ""* u 0 1 inn, -too U- in. in Ike cleiNdrrm.i.l

OMiBnia) arc cilltn oillivxt

they «*• found nt clev.ti

Uiinirg ikeui Is to Hear llir
iy«UM»ulr V°* <*»> ‘K Ike denied ground
otkoed by tto.l-.r.h, -bo u. t.- timl in \Yynu.l
".the runs m June, Uic c-kt*«I..N bmL (hr
« felled and

gemud cUarad o 4 -eed* Mat I* aU.* tkn. tlx- ouiUlSOia id. hi

,n . ,U *" *'*” U,,ufc "* U slUitod lU ImII tieacrl.l. -I....
lbs liuit to p*»t.a*l and plkm .1 to ike nvx.ll. -f b„„u.W, i...iliti« r>.
ulhcr iitrjur I ton drjiug In Ike cm.

. .*?• |4 “* *fjhM Inns III lU -Inn lUc atom i- «,.•

ulher |.irjur»li.i« I tun drjiug m Ike w>

Tke I to-- .‘iinUuiMe to j Wtd hurt III Ike —nU. >w -Inn Ike Mon
itiwa, new plaau snoag from Ike Ttoy nay .to. to r.Urd frm ,

*"' U Ctoluwm bn -sock ectee-Md .. . enell-w and prll H ,a„|ii»,.
si.Mmu.Uy dufr-d to Euroya from MsUW ad Trsv.nem/ In L.n
I? " ™ k,W " k "*** m tha «*•". -.to.,, .ml fk, Wfe .....

!/ **£■• U> * **** "• ““** frarwty rtktod, W a be.*« r-bmi and ... c.lW lk>
M.lBUr ewdsaBWi. or Wyaasd askarnn Ttoy « r^-Aon-d 1 to to.i
U "• «rr -or. SnH. ....I ,d s w,k r ootou

;4U,.«kr« Tk./^,to^.M,a
llir wed. ire -lute and dnoWtol
I .Her m totiif .ho. tor or to. pu..t
t-{rt!ier "ton ready tor uw-.

■e Boetr it'tod .ml d a |«k r ontoir.
'Tto iib-ttU .lifler from ||i»

II !*»..«] to mix Uir —mil kind.

CARDAMOM CULTIVATION.

1*7

f.—l, and particularly in a dull of rioe called briuijt. This
can lumen fetches, on the average, two or three shilling*
I-t lb. The Cannanore ^ecie. u rounder in shape, ami
more pleasant to the taste. Ita price rim annually, as it i*
much in request with the English, and at prcaant amounts
to 1(H) ducat* per kandy. The Company's demand is fluc-
tuating. but the average quantity sold amounts to 20,000
nr 30,000 lb*.

The cardamom grows on long stalks which apring out of
the earth, tile podalianging on them in long bundles, lather
far ajurt When tlio weatlier is dry, the cardamom is white ;
lait if rain falls while it i- ripening, the lawk or rind I*,
comes brown ; it then easily bursts and the little kernels
fall out and are picked up by the natives and aold, though
at a much lower price, generally (or a shilling and a half per
11*. When the cardamom is gathered, the stalks are burnt
in the held, the ashes being serviceable for manure.
This cardamom is not sown, but tlie land produces it spon-
taneously, the roots spreading along and under the soil, like
those of the reed. When the cultivators wish to make
the roots sprout up, they take heavy roller* with which
they press them into the' soiL Tbev generally -suffer the
ground to lie fallow for a year, and in £>e second year roll and
manure it to make it produce fruit I have enquired of
the natives whctlier the needs might not be sown, and now
cardamon field* be made in this way ; but they replied in
the negative, saying that che veds would indeed germinate,
but the stem would not grow bigger and thicker than n
needle, and would wither away of itaelf From this it ap-
pear* that this plant is indigenous to certain districts, and
cannot be grown in any other. Supposing indeed the case
were Otherwise, it may be Uiat the natives would oot ftl^.w
it : for it yields them much more profit than pep|x-r due*.
UM|tecklly at Cannanore.

In conclusion. I will mention the anxa, the tiadc in which

•trriaf Ita — U, u »la n-jn Ita wl »*wl. to nJil *>*( ®ttai«l-> Injur*,
lima uni U knit t'“> taw (a Ita ms ttair •*<««* ta-M dateifcret*! In
TravaiMara ita. ii v otaHtr po«ir«l Irma Ita htgti !»«-'• ntretaOui* tta
Diivli,.! Malm, .ml ttamili diartcte. Is Ita* ireonUlia Ita caltl'i
!«•» mail* *»|wf»l* ginlm* for I tarn » itaj ttair* tatter, il • Htti# tan ini
itl'nU.n ta U*.™l upw« ttaia. ta.lus* an a mntwflt In tta T r.
vnaoora State, and cultinWa ms chfeMy f/w» tta Unlteti
i ilil lining WI at *!• Kipn* »* »«*ty kind. .Wli.pml or.T t*. tl-

lii^-niin-nl. Tta a<**ic* m.Wi U Unlit* !v r tta frv* ISllil »»• sbvut
300 tamtat H. D.

UTTtRS FROM MALA UAH

iA.nrri.Ml on throughout nearly the who!* of the East Indies.
Yon know of course enough of the appearance of this tree
from book* ..f trarela, to be awire that it- fmit springs out
of its .ido. after having been for tome time enclosed within
a writ of rind, wlicn the tree appears to be distended ; till

the fruit, having bocomc hardy enough to brave the open
air. hurst* from it* covering You are also aware that
throughout the East Indie* thia fruit ia chewod. together

with a leaf called BtUl (a plant whith grows like the pepper
tree, and has similar leave*), a liUle lime being also mixed
with it It clcansee the morlth by ite acridity, and makes the
saliva blood -red ; but when it is much indulged in, it corrodes
the enamel of the teeth, so that they become black, with those
who chew it in great quantities, fho Areca sen'es the hni-
■loos for dyeing, for which nurpraa quantities of it are dried
and exported to Coromandel and Surat The East India C'oin-
iianv have made great efforts to appropriate to themselves the
nrec* trade on this coast, but have not succeeded. But they
have monopolised the trade in Ceylon, in wit* of the dissatis-
faction of the king of Kandy : and, I am told, gain 100,000 nx
dollars yearly by it In this oountiv the natives traffic with
it, and its price varies, the Kandy being worth somethin* 3J.
sometimes 4 rix dollars. There are also different aorta of areca,
the common sort, the scented sort, the white, and the red,
among which consumers may purchase according to their taste.

May Heaven prosper commerce, the sinews of our State.

<IW. It* etfit.

India. It vtvUa

, S h*u«

■ni<» id*.* i* n
U- Utot BUto ol

akflown. bat it WmUih1«c)j
(■ annir. They are much

r-ILW-1 by Uu Nall***, twin* Cfcr.fl ..lb lb* Waf of lb* M*\ |-H*r.
(ll.a.Ua l-ul) rpoal wrth dm— a A u*s will r—luc aaeaally or i in
•v*ra*a U.r« ho-l.fl o»u. Tb., «. o~«xU mmI* « t Trs
. ..an. Tb* n»u a- *»tfc«-l Hi Jaly —d * W t. tbo*|fc M fully rip*
nil OcloWr III U* Utlcr cwiMfy. Ifc* «.U nr* iMtooaly Ik iw.

Th <— i lUt «. i«*d by fwUi. -f r-». arc «Ur.Wd «tU. ifc. halt • Under,
iln huiLi m Ifc* onto* p«t u r—«rd ; Uk fcm»l. « round fcaliy t"*“V
i. u.U-1 la B.u ., la ifc* iU aat. *Un i-up-ly 4«aa tb.

II., baosa*. rrt-tkWh «d Mw«fc h£*. and Ud. *0«wart. awfcr at wl int*.
a ..tlMlnn-* lit. uUrk> ; th* Utkd "d. I*4-S «*>•■ ‘•‘‘-I “ n “ ‘'rlixl.

H.. utl.iliu lit* .i.btuac* I* raU— t I- U* .tatr. ..ml drt-d K**n In tbs sun.
uh.n ifc.y b.-"— . A.UI Usd. r*» W f * a-. « bol. nut. witboul
l.li.r die-d *1- pepwrt la Ifc* wa* Inna fw uw «"'-»■> tb. M*h*.
il*—. while «r* unto. .nll« r— « aaM la a»*w*UU at* twd by *11
rl—e- .d 1-i.U r—dly. sad rtp. noU |nar»1 In wmlar wtlh tli. pn.
VI. aim u.nl Wl~« .ai-rtei t. »*Vt di*H-to. th* OBto *i* sliced nr.il

III! October lu th* Utl
Th— tbtt w. «ti*d by bi
III* hint* |«1 tb* tmUr

while Hr* nuU - -*U •• r-"»* ■

.d pwfl* y. —dHp.rn.to prwssrrwl in «

, «h 0 . 'VI— ..port-d t. oAfcrr 4-tH-to. lh*

isd-lNd -tlh nd oitnHlB. « »l*. Ifc. n.l Bt.lW IB tb* pri Tfc. tmui
•iniKiBt of r« pu to ol Ibr pr*pt*«l aat. Irxm Iimr-wr. U from 2 to S.Wm
l uirl-. Ban— Hr. d Itc nd. a t»— ' wd.rwr, bU«*. «r*at qain-

■iniuat of ripoito ol lb* |«V

kuuliM BBmi.ll», aiclad**

|1U«. «d whiuh bt* shipped to
lot rjivry, ’fcor* *•>" •^*anb

siSr&r

«r p*to. A<Nnb| to tb*
pdiai in Tr.vaiKoi*. H. L»

LETTER XXVII.

o I iIm Cs-»- P*l* . U. M4.W C.W~*. »».l C-HW U.n.fc-

S.m:lily o/ O-. vnl KmIo la lk« «,* oi Ik. MU.U,, tir«l

yiuuiKly of Owco.lUM-Ductnw. K!(«-PW KW

When I reflect on the happy country life you lead, far
I'uiijote from the turmoil in which moat mortal* are involved,
your sense* daily regaled with the tight of tlowere and the
went of blnsao rating forest*. i.leanant tracta of clover field
lying before you with dew drops like diamonds hanging
on every blade and leaf, ray heart ia fillod with sadnosa at
the contrast afforded by the,dreary meadow* inluibitod by
noxious monsters, that surround n»e. But as there arc
novelties to bo iwt with among the ahiinal* and vegetable*
here, which are unknown in the Netherlands, 1 hope you pill
not find it irksome if I give you some account of llie mu*t
remarkable that occur to me.

The cocoa mini, which is the must useful of all tree* to
man, adorn* tlie shore* of Malabar with it* lofty crown It
would be tedious to repeat all that has been Bnid of it*
excellencies, for there is no part of it which is not serviceable
for some purpose or other. It appears to thrive best under
the influence of the cool sea breeze and near the *alt water*
of tlie sea ; tor, in more inland situations it is found to
Innguisli. It seems also as though it delighted in huinnn
society, being much fresher and more fruitful in the neigh-
liourhood of houses than in retired places.

The Creator, wliose wisdom is api«n-nt in all HU works,
woffld wem to have bestowed especial tl .ought on this tree.
The long slender trunk, laden at the top wi^i fruit, ho has
provided with a multitude of fibre* which take root on all
i idoa in the anil, thereby enabling the tree to withstand the
blasts of liie *ind The >«rk i* enveloped in m kind of
lUaue, which some of the native* make info cloaks Tin-
fruit yields wafer for tin- thirsty, food for the hungry, oil
for culiiuiry purpose*- and fuel for Uir lamp. If you wish
to extinct wine ‘fiuin it, you must make an incision in the

160 LETTERS KKOM MALAIAR.

top of tlio tree. anil hang vowels round it; and from tlio
wound there gradually drop* a liouid which would otherwise
have circulated into the fniit But now mark the wonder-
ful change which tlii-% liquid undergoes At tirwt. it is »wo«-t
ami rather natty and as mild na our whey ; but it huoii
I ncomes strong enough U> cause intoxication : vinegar, and
sugar of a brown and clay*/ sort. may also be mndo from it.
Thu liquid is a protiUble article of commerce to t!w> Coin-
|«nv. At Bauvia they distil from it a beverage as strong
.if brandy, which is mixed with brown sugar and called
arrack : this is sent to all part* of India, and brings ill n
good revenue. The upper end of the trunk of the cocon
|ialm is soft, and wlien the bark is opened a sort of pith
of a white hue is found inside, called J'uhn’/f, soft and
delicious to the taste, and not tfulike the cauliflower : but,
what is chiefly remarkable to a naturalist, in this part is
found the germ of the fruit and it* shoot*, neatly enclosed
in a tube or sheath.

I shall give you no description of the oincapple, jack
fruit, mango. cashew nut, and other Malabar fruit* All
Uxiks of travels abound in plates and descriptions of them.
But it is right to remark that the cinnamon is found
here : not the fine, pleasant, species which grows in Ceylon,
but n wild species, having a rough, thick lark. like that of
the China-Chuia, and a strong disagreeable flavour. The
root of this tree is fit for yielding oil, and the oil which is
procured from the rind is at fin* red, but gradually decom-
poses and settle* down into a kinJ of camphor. The natives
•»*« this cinnamon in oxtkery, ami as it is very cheap, cost-
ing less than a stiver per pound, tlwre is no demand here
for the I letter kind. The English ©antrive to sell this Mala-
Uu cinnamon in an underluuvd way in other places.

Tlio coHi-c shrub i> planted in garden, for plwumre. and
yields plenty of fruit which attain* a pro|«-r dcgiee of riia.-
IMP* But it has not U»« refined Uu,te of the Moclia o«gU*>
An entire new plantation of CfTer shn.1* haa been laid out
<U Ceylon, wit^ what nucceaa. lime will allow. If it thrive,
great n.| vantage no iloubt will accrue to tlio Hast India
Coni|Miiy, wHo will not thus be cmn|wlled to purelmse such
quantities from Mocha, where Um price is very high and con-
tmually rising on account of tlie omcouni of Kuroiaun
tradem from all part*, while for the kuiki reason the value
"« l !‘°. European and Indian wares l>rouglit.tli, iv, i* greatly
diniinislicd.

RESPECT FOB ANIMAL LIFE.

nil

l'hia couutry of Malabar, though mountainous in' tl*c inte-
rior. contain* but little mineral wealth, except iron, which
is not expcuaivo here, and U exported to Mod* after being
taaten out in small lam The native* nuke their firelocks
of thia metal, and their awonl* likewise, though they prefer
cutlasses of EuropeA workmandiip. Tlw loadatonc i* very
cheap here. You can get it for 1* per lb. But whether it
in found here, or. a* *omo have told me. i* brought from tho
Maldives, I cannot positively say.

And now to paw* on to the subject of animal life. You
liavo heard perliaps that animal* are adeemed holy among
Xho Malabar*, a coincidence with, or possibly an imitation
of, tho superstition of the ancient Egyptian*, amonp whom
thej slaughter of a cow wa* reckoned a heinous cnnip. A
rajah, when he mount* the throne, must take an oath to
protect cows, brahmins and women They cannot compre-
hend how we, Europeans, can be *o cruel as to kill an
animal which yields milk and butter for man's sustenance.
Therefore the places where cows are slaughtered are looked
upon as unholy, and whenever they can prevent the act they
do so. Among themselves any one who kills a oow is held
guilty of murder, and though tl*e murder of a man may be
expiated by the payment of a sum of money, mercy is not
easily extended to the crime cf cow-killing. It is true tluit
cows are daily brought into the town of Cochin which have
been stolen by Christians belonging to the Company’s juris-
diction, and wc are obliged to wink at this practice, or
punish the robbery, if discovered, by only a slight fine, or
otherwise wc should have to go without meat altogether.

It is not a little remarkable and must be ascribed to the
wise decree* of Providence that although beef is prohibited
to all natives and to Christian* living under native rule, yet
tho number of cows does not greatly increase.

When a native ia dying he takes hold of tho tail of a cow
which is brought alive to his bed-aide: and some imagine
that by doing this they are conducted to heaven. Thu*
tho cow’s tail servos much the -a me jsiqxsie to them, as
wax taper* to tho member* of tho Romish church, and in
place of Holy water, they take cow dung, ami spread it on
llieir benches, floor* and stair*, believing that tho evil spirit
cannot make his way over it to do them harm. They use
this substance also in their purification*.

If a cow happens to die. the hide is stripped off by a cer-
tain caste or race, who are held in much the same low esti-

LETTERS FROM MALABAR.

matioQ with them, as flayers are among u» As the nativoa
do not wear shoot, these skins are aold to tiie Company,, a
bundle or 20 piece* for 16 stivers; and they are sent to Cey-
lyi* where they are used for jacking cinnamon.

'JEtiere are great quantile* of snakes here. Not only do
tJiey infest wchkL. and field*, but tliey get into towns and
houwe also We I nee our fear of Uivtn in a great measure,
from Imbit, lait there is no doubt that they are very poison-
ous, and will kill a pereon who accidently trends upon them.
Otherwise, they rather try U> escape from us. The natives
esteem them a* almost divine, and hold their liven sacred. The
cobra capella is the most reverenced. Iu head is flat, broad
sod arched, and on its back is a figure resembling a pair of
spectacle*. The native* perform llieir SonibaU n. or obeisanoe,
to these snakes, and keep a bit of their gardens partitioned oft
in honour of them, and for. the chance of their arrival. They
bum a lamp, and place a dish of rice in these enclosures once
a year. To such an extent do they carry the superstition,
that whenever they find a dead cobra capella, they consider
themselves bound to burn ita body with a small piece of
sandalwood, a grain erf gold |«carl dust, corals, Ac., using
the same ceremonies as at the burning of a person of one
of the high caates TlSs Eurojiean soldiers aud sailors some-
times turn this custom to their own account : first they kill
a snake and then sell it for a faitain br two to the supersti-
tious Guiaresc, who buy it for the sake of giving it a good
fum-ral. The cobra capella* are also used by the serpent
i hurmers in their art*— -tliey are taught to danoc, being en-
closed ill se|suatc Iwdtvt* with a Inch the charmer* go about
Irian house to house. In these dances they do not spring

from house to house. In these dances they do not spring
iiji on their tail, as travellers are wont to tell us, but merely
twist tlieniselvw and raise the upper part of the body, which
is no doubt their natural attitude when they sit upright, so
that there i« nothing marvellous in it Moreover their poison
has been cure fully extracted. by making thorn hltO sonic luuxl
nialeiial, in eulisvt|Urlioe of. which the vessel* in the mouth
containing the vcimiu are broken. WImb a snake moves in
this manner, on.- man blows on an instrument whilst another
holds the row of Uki laskct ovc-r the snake, which keep*
striking at it with its month as though it would bite if it.
could. The channel* are aomcliinia ilicaU-d by these snakes,
if they are incautious in their management, so that it has
become a proverb among tlie Malatar*, that “ the Camakkcli
(moil who ride on rWrdmnta) and 'Hake-charmer* seldom die

merely
, which

WILD ANIMALS.

16 ft

their natural death.' When the dance is over they close tho
cover of tlie Hat banket over the snake's head, and it creel*
in of iu own accord. In the mountain* and remote jangles
of. this country there n a specie* of snake of the shape and
thickness of the stem of a tree, which can swallow moa and
Iwaata entire. I Irnvo been told an amusing story about one
of these snake* It is said that at Baroeloro, a chego had
climlied up a cocoanut tree to draw toddy or palm wine,
and as he was coming down, both his legs were seised
by a snake which liad stretched itself up alongside the
tree with its mouth wide open, and was sucking him in
gradually as he descended Now. the Indian, according to
tho custom of his country, had stuck his Tcifermu (an in-
stillment not unlike a pruning knife) into his girdle, with
the curve turned outwards: and when he waa more than
half swallowed, the knife began to rip up the body of tho
snako so as to make an opening, by which the lucky man
most unexpectedly was able to escape.

Though the snakes in this country are so noxious to the
natives, yet the ancient veueration for them is still main-
tained. No one dares to injure them or to drive them away
by violence, ami so audacious do they become, that they
will sometimes creep between people’s legs when they arc
eating, and attack their bowl-* of rice, in which case retreat
is necessary until the monsters have satiated themselves and
Liken their departure.

The crocodiles or caymans also abound here, and are
venerated by the Malabar*. They are not so large or dan-
gerous as those of Java. Most of the tanks and ponds of
Malabar contain those animals, and they are found likewise
in marshy place* They abound in the rainy season, when
the plains are tilled with water. I have myself seen six or
seven of them in tlie short space between the town and the
Company's garden*, about half an hour’s distance. They
nru not very mischievous on dry land, but in the water they
are more dreaded, as they occasionally drag a person down’

The tiger and nle|Juuit are an well known that I nood
not doscribo them here. 1 should mention however that in
the fine reason a certain species of kite is found here which
I have never mot with elsewhere. It is of an ugly red
colour, furnished with idiaq. claws with which it snitches
pieces of meat from a window, or fish and otfior eatables from
men’s hand* or basin* as they go up the streets, and then
Hies away with its booty. Though so much given to thiev-

LETTERS FROM MALABAR

164

mg, kite* do great good within the town, acting as kavcii-

E rs for the natives, who are by no means so neat in their
bits as the people of Holland and Friesland. During the
war of 1716 and 1717, they followed the army, finding
abundant food to satisfy their hanger.

A little insect called the fire-fly is found in India ; it in
very small in sise, and omits a bright sparkling light,
which can bo seen glittering at a distanoe in the evening.
A species of bird resembling our sparrow, which builds very
peculiar nests in tho shape of a sheath, is endowed by
nature with the power of attracting these insects, as if for
tho purpose of obtaining their light in its nest. Tho sub-
stance which emits the light is situated in the extremity
of tho insect’s body, which in day-light, or after death, is an
white as wax ; if the insect's mouth is pressed, so ns’ to
hinder its respiration, the light is dimmed, but it shines
out again brighter than before as soon as the pressure i-
removed.

F1KIS.

AN ACCOUNT OF TRAVANCORE,

iXD

FRA BARTOLOMEO'S TRAVELS IN THAT COUNTRY.

It is a plowing variety amid the more aolid literature of
this utilitarian age, to turn occasionally to those ngrooablo
nnd unpretentious mutative* which poortxayed the position,
opinions, and Impes of the European in India, aixty years
since. Such account* of our earliest introduction into these
countries, have a value far leyond the mere in turret they
excite M hooks of travel or adventure. They clve ns
an opportunity of comparing tlio great strides wliich civili-
zation in her onward course Ls making in the gorgeous East, —
and they atlonl totiraody to the (act that Uie barrier of
Eastern cxclu-^ivene*— . prejudice and caste, is not altogether
so formidable that it may not eventually be overthrown ;
while at the same time, they give no slight encouragement
to the future, that in spite of the boasted immutability of
heathen customs so peneveringly upheld by creed and habit,
the fiat lias gone forth to graft upon the effete and time-
worn institutions of Hindustan, Uie civilization of the
Western world. *\Tlie stories of Eastern travel are very
numerous, both m tlie I hitch, P»rtiigiie<o, and English lan-
guage.'. One of the earliest pcriw|w in our own tongue is
the fictitious narrative of Sir John Mamukvile. and another
is the lively and curious volume left us l.y Mnreo Polo ; hut
their miM.nnls nre lunni marvellous than true. Wo may
derive more profit and pleasure fiom tin- graphic tomes of
Bernier, whose description of the Court of tlai ureal Mogul ;
iiikI the wild and w oral reus aixucs lie was wituoa* tj, in
those, tho inlmiest day* of tl»o ptinoely city of Delhi, aiu
well worthy of |«-m>nl Ollwr volume* of !«•*» note, but
containing much vuluaM.- information about the particular
territories when* their autlan ojuiniul ol Jiavied through,
are also of uMtaidcniblo interest, even at the pi' si nt .1 « v.
Sueh aie the Invd* of Tlieseuot Tuny, Uiu*-. TaVv.nicr

166

ACCOUNT OK TRAVAXCOIK

Hamilton, Valcntyo, and oilier literary pioneer* of Eastern
voyages niul adventure. We omt pet-imp* atfnnl to smite at
some iniraculooa atone* which their credulity accepted to-
discriminate!)’ from their native narrator*. But this is a
weakuees dot quite obliterated in our own days, and wo
accept their l.il-mra, as tlwsc of honod and worthy travel-
lers, wlm I mve left upon the whole faithful end interesting
records of unnuglidacd India.

Among the minor nnthon whoso works linve not earned
Mich a reputation an tlioae above enumerated, but which are
not Uic less valusblo, is Uiat of Fra lVuilino de Son Barto-
lomeo, a bare- footed Carmelite, who was thiiteen years in
India, and resided chiefly <«n tlio Malahar Coast, and who a
great part of that time dwelt either in Travnncoro or IIm«
neighbouring territory of Cochin. During tlie course of
his travels, he iin|>arta much curious and interesting matter
nlxrut those two countries. His work was originally writ-
ten in Italian, and {mULshed after the return of the author
to Europe at Rome, in 1796. Bartolomeo had much of bis
time occupied in missionary affaire in Travancoro, which
gave him »u opportunity of describing the manner and cus-
toms of the people. This latter country lies in the remotest
corner of Hiudoustan, and includes a small strip of territory,
between the ghauts ami the sen, tl.e oxtreme length from it*
northern boundary, to Cape Comorin, measuring aliout 1 7 1
miles ; its breadth averaging to about *Jt inilev. ami the total
nn.it amounting to a little more than 6,500 square miles.
Of this, one- third consists of mountain land, and inqume-
trablu furrets uninltabitable b^' man, the reuiaining two-third
only being sviiihiUe for cultivation.

Its natural scenery partakns id tliat singularly fresh am I
verdant character (wciilur to tl>e other |«ul* of the Western
roast. Tlio heavy pL-rindiml rains prevailing with but
slight intermission, for nine months in tlio yenr give birth
to a pi> ifuse vegetation The magnificent Him of ghaut* on
it* KiihU in boumlary i« singularly Uwuliful ami attractive,
at time* rising alini|itly in Inn* and rocky |s>aks, ami now
envorvd front Un> foot to llw summit with dense and patlik‘*<
I on -its, hiuI overhanging tlic low plains from tlio heights of
A. 1 MM) hi 6,000 feet af > ive tin- se* level. The Ti ravann uv group
of mountains thus presents a striking analogy to tlio island
of Ceylon in position and outline. Tlie main chain runs
cud ward for 1*»0 miles to Cape r<«»«in with occasional
d.-vp •h'|>ie**i , “i'- ami kmiiu.-U-' in a 1*)M precipitous UM«s

MOUNTAINS BACKWATER CASALS 167

3,000 to 4.000 feet high within throe milea of tl>e cape itself.
The Travuncore mounUint are loftiest at the extreme north ot
the district, where they stretch east and weal for sixty or
seventy miles, separating the districts of Dindigul and Madura,
And rismgiatopcoks of 6,000 to 7,000 foot, which overhang the

S huns of Coimbatore ; and they retain an elevation of .1,000 to
,000 feet, throughout their extent to the southward. They
are generally very precipitous ; and undulating, or rounded
grassy ridges aeein t« l*i of aumuoa occurrence at 6,000 to
7.000 feet liut one of Uic most important features in this coun-
try, and one which must add materially to its wealth and
prosperity ia the extenaivo backwater, the name given to iui
inlet from the *ea, which runs in a direction | simile! to tho
fltttt, and varying both in width and depth, and maintain-
ing a course of nearly 175 miles from Trevandrum to CtlOU*
ghaut ou the bonier* of tin? Cochin territories. The* facili-
ties here offered to water communication from one end of
the country to the other, are incalculable ; and now tliat tho
only remaining obstacle is about to bo overcome by piercing
through an intervening belt of bigli land a mile or two long,
n line of uninterrupted water transit will be opened from the
extreme northern districts to the capital itself, and thence to
('a|*e Comorin. The canals which have hitherto l>oen dug
in order to connect the lock water as one grand whole were
completed many years since by an able and energetic Dowan,
VgikoUa Row, who projected and completed during his ad-
ministration. two canals measuring in lcngtli upwards of
seventeen miles, which includiug four bridges cost about two
lues of Ruiax-v ThcuB two canals l«car the name of Her
Highness the ltancc of Trai'anoore, whose ivign ia still
glide fully praised and Iduemlanil by ln-r faithful subject*.

Of the actual lintiir)’ of the country, the following mv a few
U'icf outline*. In ancient times there reigne.l over the ex-
tensive kingdom of MaUlair, a king renowned for bin talents
and virtues, and who waa a ju»t and liennAcud ruler. Ilia
name was t’licnima IVnunal, nisi previous to his death,
which occurred a (lor a reign <«f yean*, he divided his
country into feur grand divisions of which Travauooro was
one. lake Charles V, U»e aged monarch, weary of the cares
of stot.*. retired to console his declining year*. with
religion and solitude, ami taking up his aliode within
the precincts of a saerrd |ngoda id the Cochin territory,
dud lull of year* A. I). 35± A muasulnuin tradition
relates that lie became an apostate from the faith of his

AfXWST OK TRAVANTORK.

fi*tlicrn, muI, cm bracing inahoincdaniMii, made a pilgrimago
to Mecca, where lie ended hi* day*. Tire story rest*
probably upon do good foundation. But whatever may
have been the fate of thin Icing, tlie Malayalutu empire
terminated with hi* reign ; and from that time there is h
hiatUH in F m vanenre history. over which many centuries
have thrown the veil of obscurity * Of Uh> descendant* of
tl'« fiunou* Cheruma Penimol. we have but a lwrv list of the
name of thirty-two sovereign* immediately preceding tho
present rajah. Of the acta or virtu.* of these reyal wor-
thies we nomess hut little or no information. In the 16th
century tho neighbouring province of Madura was n flour-
ishing country, and Travaueoro was then n dependency on
that State. And the earlier prince* Lid Ureir origin fiisn
Madura, whose Court was long cousklcred liotli powerful and
influential

Their downfall may Ik> dated from the incursion of the
MahrattAs about the middle <»f the I.StJi century'; at which
time it is most likely (hat Travancore, taking advantage of
the anarchy that prevailed in (hut state, sc|wrated itself
from their dominion, and became an independent kingdom.
At that time Pahuncottah was a city belonging to tlie Tra-
vanooro Government, though tlie l-.utidarv line has been
considerably reduced since Uk«c days. In I7t2, when
Mahomed Ally khan ruled over tlie Madura and Tinnevelly
provinces, and wa* in alliance with tin* English, he frequent-
ly made inroads into Travancorc. for the pur]**-, of exacting
pecuniary Mipplic* from the country. In the*e lawless
transaction* he was instigated by the English, who were
tlien rapidly acquiring Us-ir indirect conquests over the
son then i province* of the |wninsaln Tlie bolder district
ot (**•“ **>" "l.jiel of tire rapine of the Hnldiuix

of Mahomed Ally’s a nay. It w.i* through that district that
they tbrentened iwm than nnoe to push their unjust exenr-
; and at one peri. si tlie minister of Tiuvnirci.rc was
glad to purchase their irtnwl by the imviuoiiI of n large
sum of money, professedly to L- |uid to the English (faiwin-
nwnt These may be considered lire tiixt transactions of

• |t .pp^r. c«trio lKa ll. ur.gis.1 of tU

couiUrj. ..I U.M IW m *•— « B C. S-Sms.u..,U. IU d> h .
•icf.j Uoui,, «W<«e. « l « *l.«t |.*i U* l«ui „f | -l

».•»* brtug ^Uu.| *« Uh n«.. ,4 tmM Ou U„- Mk <4 ChltUM

IVnuikU, &• .Wm l.*. Ik. .try ... .IKkUsI HMvlic |„,

- - iuul Hi- re'S«"S "»■*• <«—* Us« .k M «L

DISPUTES ABOUT TERBITOBV. KiiJ

tlio English wiih Travaucore, at least to tlto southern |toi-
Uon of it,*

In 17W, Travancore became patterned of the tract ni
country lying to tlic east side of the ghauta. and extending
from CajK) Comorin to Calcaud ; I laving nuicluinrd it from
Moodcmiuh one of the race of those turbulent polymrs who
at that time ovcr-nui the district of Tinnevelly. Tho
possession of tliis slice of territory was productive of many
disturbance* between tlie troop* o'f tlvc Rajah of TrovaMOTO
nn«l those native chief* who were dependent on, or in tho
actual pay of the English- The province of Tinnevelly wan
for long the scene of nuidi petty warfare, and the reduction
of the polygars and other independent chieftains who re-
sided in those district*, gave freouent occupation to the British
troops. The arrival of colonel Heron at Tinnevelly which
took place soon after tlie Travancoriana took possession of
their new district, ao alarmed the troops who were placed
for its defence ; that they abandoned the fortress of Calcaud.
and left the ucighl -wring country to tire mercy of the Eng-
lish. who despatching Maphuz Klian with a small force,
s.s>n reduced tlie inhabitants to subjection without any
lighting. On the return, however, of the English to Triclii-
nopoly, the TravancorUn* n-oa*tcd by tlie Palitover of tlie
district of Xcllitangcviilu. attempt. d to retake tho disputed
district Maphuz Khan having collrctel t-igethcr a small
force marched U> meet them : an action took place near Cal-
enud — the troops of Maphuz Klnui were .le tasted, and the
Travancorians and their allie* aat down before the fortress.
Hut on hearing of tlie advance of Maphuz Khnn with a fresh
force, tlie Travancorisn* suddenly abandoned Uie siege, Tirol
returned to their own countiy. In Kenteudicr, however, of
the same year, another frvxh fine.- man -nod from Tmvancore.
defeated the troop. Wfore Calcaud and retook pi-*o«ion of
tho district Tlie inhabitant* of tliev district* were repent-
islly in the habit of making inroads into tlie Tinnevelly
country for tlw nnq— v of vising th« h.irveat. mid they
Would (miLublv have inemod the displeasure of Malioined
lloossem on this account, who wna then nt the head of all
the forces in tlie Tinnevelly country, lind not n dispute
arisen hptwvcn tlie Itajali >•( Ti.ivane.nv ami the Polygar

* About Uly yv>r» |oi>m *. Ibis Th 'i s bm ... -jOn ' up into mi.
mrmu* |«otly pni» "I* — ■ cb«-’ ■>-«• Md.wlly 1 i'i«c in •

irf ib...w-Ue^ TW,W v il-*n wyw Nw^im.iO. Ti.«>«.-i

clr, Kilo. II— ..n~l Kamt«w VW-s-J, I'uu-., , *nl

"'3«ia »vt« 1-1.4 tj -aolhr 4->C »4 uuiuluiu

170 .uwtcxT ok rn.vviNi'>BS

of Veilagbcrry, whom.- fortress w*h ■•■•ut fifteen miles no tilt
of the district of Shenctuh. and thirty miles from GVdcaud ;
and whoso subject* ImmI made continued itiwUtoiT excur-
sions into the Tnivji-t.jv country through tho Arungolo
|hvn. Willi Ur* view ..f puni-Jung Uw jiolygar. tlic mjnh
of Travnncoiv mode common wb* with Mai tan toil K*oi>h,
mill nt n conference hold Iwtweeii Umui it was agreed thnt
the mjnh should not any Imwrr permit his |i©o|ilo to ravage
tjio Tinnevelly country, and tli.it they both bIiouI.1 march a
force to reduce the refractory polynar of VciUgherry. Tho
combined force* Assembled nt Sli.iictlnh. the nyah of
Tmvancore having 1 insight fioiu 1« to 12,000 luen through
tho Arungulv An action ensued. which ended in the

total defeat of tho jvulygar, who e*«*|ied in the night, "fid
liocnme a fugitive m tlic m-tgld-uring district of PaliUivor.
Soon after thc> the mjnh of Travancore demanded again the
cession of tlic Cairo ml dislik-Ls from Mahomed Bsoph. which
after much licnitatimi were pemrineutly made over to him, —
the annexation U-ing approved of hy the English govern-
ment Another action which took |»1 a** subsequent to the
transaction won at Vashinellore. wlietv the Travancorhms and
Mahomed Esoph liaving again united, they laid siege to that
fortress ; after n series «.f attack* oti both *i«le=. the troops
of the ltd ilover were victorious; and Mahomed EssojJi with-
drawing his forces from the siege-, tho Travancuriaus also
returned to their oun country 1 1 in nigh the Arungolo julis.

Previous to tlic military atfaiis which took plnee l*etwi*<*n
t heTl3i\*aiH»rians ami tho English mi this side, certain events
occurred in the nortliem |sut of tbs kingdom, w hich in their
result* graduully extended tin- )»xver and authority of the
Itiijuh of Tmvancorv.

Alaiut 1760. the kingi uf Cochin were still indqiciidcnt,
nml litul several tributary |«rin«c* Kwttcivd over the -out hern
part of their territory ; aim ng thc-w was one called Cungnceri,
mill it nt ill I7hi| that the Usjah of Tnivamsnv suddenly
iittackid Ilia tenitmii-s, defeat'd him and his allies in hcVC-
ml decisive engagements: nml then advanced to n plncc
culled Aricnottv td-mt 10 luihw frmn Cochin. laid siege to.
and took it. and having nxvpncvd tlic greater part of the
country, and ntrip|ad Uh* rijah of Cochin of two- tli inis uf
his torrit ay, lie incnth d his newly won doniinions to his
lieplmw Rainnh Vurnidi, wlio ascenled the niumud in the
21th year of his age. This Rajahs name was Vnnj'e Hnu'ii
liaUiiM Vuruia Koladiayani lYiuinal. who ap|*-ara to have

RAJA II Vl’XJKK ISA l' LA.

been a more ambitions dnncl«r, than hi« predecessor. and
early gave sign* of Ixiug affected by the pruning habit of
annexation to the great annoyance and alarm of the neigh-
bouring chieftains. who betrayed i*> relish f«w 1 icing absorbed
by tho more powerful state. But Yunjee Haii la wan n deter-
mined man whose lust of conquest was not to be thwarted
by the lawful nrotesta of his femLtory chiefs. and one by ono
tho power of the latter became extinguished, and thoir coun-
tries annexed in due form Kveii Cochin itnclf apjioarcl to
have been threatened by this unscrupulous prince. King
Penunijcvlapil was tlxn reigning at Cochin. But when three
petty king, were suMued and deprived of tlieir territories
by tho Commander-iii-Chief of tlx king of Travancore, the
ccb'l unto* 1 Marthanda Pulla and his successor, geucral Eus-
taohius do Lnnnoy, by birtli a Fleming, a treaty was eoncludod
with king Perumpivlnpil, in coa*c«|uenoe of which he was
left in pos**tdon of the few places aliovc mentioned, as the
la-st remains of royal dignity. This happened in the year

1701- (Bart p. 135 — 6 i

We must now follow Dirt. dome. ■ in the ) >ers:>nal narrative
of his adventures before i«rvcecdiu_' with tlic history; — *‘I
tormed an acquaintance," lie says, with M. de Lannoj' at Cnr-
ria|iulli in the year 1777.* Ho drove Samuri on the other
side of the river from Allaiigatra and Codumgalur ; assigned n
small s|">t to the kin* of Cochin f»r his suiiport ; made
himself master of all the fc>rtrre-*-i. put tile king’s troops
on tlio same footing as the Kutvipcaii ; divided muon* tliem
the conquered lamia ; caused them frequently to march
through the country with full military j >. trade in order to
keep the people in subjection to their rulers, and after Vim
Mut thunda’s death. gave the kingdom. in which |ierfect tmn-
iiiillity was now Mtsul, to tlx pre-cnl sovereign Kama
VaniKir. who had ju»t entered tlx twenty -fomili year of his
age. Thus omfed tin* dominion ..f the |iotfv Ma(aW aovc-
reigns; thus w.m humanity nwnged. ami tint* wore crimes

• H Kus.itMw Immtj no * w«n;« ■ fc iw n t In tin isjdi «f
Tf»«ius«if»% ■rrvt»c. It>- Bwltws.'l u>- l -l .4 O.L-.«W>). wlasv III.

t-.uit. noy Mill I.- I.V., I. It. tin f ie IK.»

wWI Ill-urn .1, - 4 i ..

“ llic Jixsit Ro-MIhitn IbwHSni .lr l-^o-n ipil iMxpinni «ln» pwraU*
uillliw I'nvasosblU « |>r «>> \ x\> u f.'uu 1 msiuiA Ivlii-iiite

roe In- run, cui onnii nrn t\ (W—.A'aa »| C-h-IiIh vi anatiruiu n«

t" i»ni Vuil aenn exfi V <4 o* Uic i Jmui

Mf»ecl**vTl.

li-.j-ihsm Mi pa.-. *
in Hi I'Moii kS>

111 ”n> l»li»

172

accotst or ntAVAxcoKR.

punished, ami the li.s n:ioux»cs» suppress, si, by which thin
country hail lain dknf|»l ever *mue the tenth century.
The military (urea of die prevent king of Tmvauonre cop-
ai*U of 30.000 men, disciplined according to the European
manner, and 100,000 MuIaUr Nairn and ( liegos, a ruted with
bows and arrow*, ►pear*, swords and battle kxch

He kc«'|m two valia wirwodi canyacaruni, tlic v.idaka-
muguin. and the Tekmugum, one of whom i» established on
the north, and tlio other in tlie south. Each of thenu luta
under him four other oHicera. called only aarwadi auryaenrer ;
three have in*|«.ctio» over four subaltern* nr carryacnrsr, and
thee# aubalterna have under them pmvcrtliccaivr, ciandra-
carere, and btrucaror ; or collector* of tlic taxes. ovcnccra
and judge*. The trooi*i ore always marching up and
down, through the country to change their ciuitonmenta,
to enforce the collection of the taxes. and to | .reserve pcauc
and tranquillity. 1‘uUic security is again restored through-
out the whole country; robbery and murder aie no longer
heard of; no one has occasion to be afraid on tlic highways;
religious worship is never interrupted ; tlic |>eop!e may rest
assured, that on every occasion, justice will be speedily
administered.

The present king lws caiwd several cnnals to lie con-
structed in order U> unite different riven with each other,
and with the sea. By his dcsiro also :c very beautiful l oad
has Wen completed between CapeComorin, and Cmlungalur,
so that in the course of 2 1 boon he may be informed ol
every tiling that taken place throughout his whole dominion.
Alter deducting tlie cx|>eiues of government. hi» yearly in-
come niav amount to half a million of rupee, arising from
trade, duties, and various kinds of tine*. Una half of this
revenue is dc|«.»itcd in tlie toynl treasury; and never
touched, hut in nucs of tl*e utmost imvwity.

The king Os wclh n* ail the other imgun Indians tlic
chief men even lint ex.vi.ud, live accord iiig to the manner
of the Pythngoivuns and u*c rv. other foo«l than rice, milk,
fiuits and Writs. Hu generally wuus a turlwnd of n dark
bliio dlk, niul long white »oUr’ fastened at the hivrist with
a string of diamond*; long w ide dmwx-tx of red Milk, and
"hoc*, the |">int* of which are lent lack ward*, like those of
the Chines*. A when i* »ti'|«ndcd from hi* -boulder* ; and
in the blue girdle I ouisl rouiul his lniiu, i- stuck n poililtltl
or per- inn .lugger, wlii.li mu l< u-d either for attack or
dele nee. \\ inn he -how- hiuixlf to the jsi.plc in full stale.

lUkToLAMED* BECEITIOX nT TUB RIKU. 173

li.< i * nil ml*! hy 3.000 or 6.000 men. together with & great
nnnihomf pnlanquiiu and elephant* At tho head of tho
pntcpHHiou i«* a hand of musicians, and two oourt poeta, who
UOlubmta iu sing* l«ii gnat achievement*; ho in fsirne in a
palanquin, an. I tho |*incipol gentlemen of hia Court muat
walk on each side of it In my time he was very much
attached to Catholic Mmotwid Aa often an ho paiwod by
tlio pnrwmagu lmu«o at Aqjoagn, wlwre I maided two yenm,
ho always aunt two of tl* gentlemen of hi* bed-chamber to
iiniiiiiv after my health.'

During the courso of hi* travels, Bartolomeo had several
opportunities of tieconiing acquainted witli tlio innnnora and
customs of the people of Malaysia, and his book contain*
amount* of several interesting interviews ho luid with the
reigning prince of tho ©wintry. Having procured letters of
introduction from M. Adrian *& Moons the Dutch Governor
of Cochin, ami Mr. John Kuritn, Governor of Anjengo, who
botli |>rufesft'd acquaintance with the Rajah, Bartolomeo
s .1 out from the former ftLux- for Trcvnndruui. on tho 20th of
June. I7M». previoudy acquainting tl»c minister of his in-
t'od.il visit, the object of which was connected with
•vrtain ini"ionary attain, into which it is needless to enter,
iu this |il.nx\ Taking with him according to estab-
lisliol etiquette a few pn -ent< consisting of two European
paintings, a large minor, fifteen |Kwnds of red sandal wood,
and twelve bottles of Pcnui(t n«e water, be arrived at tho
Court, whin as lie relates ; “ A* soon as we made our
appearance I -.Ton' the gate of the Castle, the guard pre-
sented his arms, ami tlic minister sent a guide to conduct tho
lerouM who boro our palanquin to tlio door of tlio Palm-
garden iu which the king luddcsl. Hero our coolies or
niilaiiqnin-lwan-ra, were oliUgcd to remain liehind us, lest,
•wing jainpleof the lowest east*, they might onntamiiiatu the
K»yiu-|>ulscp. At this door wo Ui-iv nfaivwl by tlie King’s
Ciunuinndcr-in-l liiof. w ho conducted ns through the Pnlin-
pinlen, to n second doer. wU-re tlie King was waiting for
ua Ho nwivcl us 'binding mid nmMinded hy n great
nunilier of prill* * and olburrs. Near him *too«( his son,
with n drawn mhre in his hand ; iu a shady plncu worn
tlnv 1 ‘haint, one of which was ik-stimsl for the King, and
the other two for im' and my colleague. When wo had nil
token «>ur seats, tlie attendant* formed a circle around us.

I then prodmvd tlio P.q«e‘» letter, w hich I had hitherto car-
ried in a j-aket-l— 4c richly cmlmudeivd according to the

ACCOUNT OF TRAYAXCOBI1

I7»

eastern manner; raised aloft, applying it to 1113’ forehead, in
order t*> sIk>w my respect for the (itnuMw in whine name,
I prawn ted it, and delivered it to S-mpn»di Kvsliwapulla. tho
Secretary ot State. The Utter handed it to the King, who nlao
mued it up. and held it to hia forehead as a token of m»|Kict
for hia holmes* At the moment when the Pope’* letter wm
delivered tlicrc was a genend discharge of the cannon of
tho castle. • • *

" When the King ha-1 convened for some time on various
topics, he ordered hia Minister and Secretary to give aucli
an answer to our petition and such relief to our grievances
which had heen specified on an 01*. thst we might return
home perfectly satisfied and easy. For my j«rt I could not
help admiring the goodness of heart, aflkl.ilitv.nnd Imtnnifl-
ty of this prince, as well as (lie simplicity of his household
establishment and way of life. At that time, lie and nil the
•persons of his Court, according to Uw Mnlalnr mode, had
nothing on their bodies, but a small piece of cloth fastened
round the loins, and the only mark 6f distinction by which
royal dignity could be discovered, was a red velvet cap with
gold fringes''

Highly gratified at so courteous a reeC] 4 ion l*y the Rajali,
Bartolomeo remained a few days at tlic capital, during which
time Ills Highness a|>pointcd a Budiiinri t-. serve him in the
capacity of liouealeward together with anotlicr oliieinl, who
daily brought him a service of didio* pre|nrtd after the
Malabar manner and whidi were for out of tho Royal
tmisury. The Rajah evinced a great dmire to bocomo more
familiarly ncrjuainUd with the English language, already
speaking it exceedingly well. For tliis purpose he endea-
voured to retain Bartolomeo a still longer time at his Court,
but such a proceeding was by no means palatable to the

Rrul'iuin., who did not ivli-h the \* iib which

the Kuropcnn Miwiouary was I wing received, mid they
covertly prorated hia removal from the country, Ihit
the cause which Bartolomeo liad at Iwuit wiw 'neither
stilled nor discouraged by thi* abrujit termination of Ilia
vidt. Ho had acquired even daring that almri interview*,
some lights ho claimed for l.i* Christian flock, who weiv
kolng treat- d with injn-ticr by the native officials of tho
district; and ho liad a verbal MMilwnc* from tlu- Rajah, that
lie would take under his protection the missionaries mid
Christians in general, why had been recommended to him
by Hia Holiness.

THE SYRIAN PRIESTHOOD.

17*

T>|* Clement the XIV. must have been rejoiced at tho
urluuiity, and complaisance of a heathen prinoe. The next
"top wh to tend him out lit* own portrait, at the reowpt of
which tin 1 Rajah expressed the utmost satisfaction. The
hearer of the p*p.d gift received a douceur of 100 Rupeoa;
and Bartolomeo conclude* cheerfully. with the hope that
hctioulorili Christianity will acquire new etrongth. and bo
again raised to it* former stole of re*|>ocUbility.

Tho eighth oliipU-r of the book in entirely dovotod to
missionary nUair* ; th« schism* and quarrel* of both priest*
and people. besides some brief account* of the rite* and
ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church practiaed .in
tlmau imrts. The chief disturbances appear to have risen
oil thu aide of the Cuthanara, whom the Roman Catholic
I 'liurch wished to bring into the bosom of its own Church.
Thu Catliannra, for ao are the Syrian prieaU called, are at
all times a refractory act of pvr*>n.s. and tlic present race
np|ienra to keep up the same turbulent attitude toward*
foreign Christians as iU predecessors. Talking of the
clerical disturbance*, Bartolomeo says. " they are to bo
ascribed chiefly to their Cassanars or priest* ; for these men,
who are both ignorant and proud, excite the people and
encourage them to rebel against tlie Bishop and Missionaries.
Ha-1 these native priests sufficient learning ; were they in
any degree acquainted with their duty ; and did they know,
how to procure from the Pagans the least respect, they
might certainly l>e fit to l»e entrusted with the care of
Christian congregations : but unfortunately they arc stran-
ger# to tilde qualities, live like the irrational animal*, and
by these means, are the cause that thuir parts lies are con-
verted into den* of thieve*. • • •

“ These Ciiv.ui.usi were the muse also of the nrhisui, which
took place in lfl.13. In the year I7WI, tlioy hud an inten-
tion of uuiting themselves with tlic *chiMiiaLie bishop. In

1773, they ifaam il IhnwKf under dn JaMMhn of the
lii*ho|rt of the lolin or Wvit.nl Church : but in 1777, they
sent a request to Rome, that they might lw allowed to Imvo
hUImp* of their own natimi. In tlic jiar 17*7, they made
theiiiNcIvc* indepcmknt oT ih.; N|«»t»lic vw«r ; lull tut 1
went to the Court of tl»e king of Trnvanoore, as well an
to Cochin, in favor of the hislmps and missionaries, tho
rebels were punished and again lunught under subjection."

Burt, do aid reckons the number of Roman ('itholie* in
his days in Malabar at 100,000, and alludes In convulsion

ACCOUNT OF TBAVANCOUE

176

M progToadng most rapidly. In two years (1780-81) he
confirmed almve 20,000 |>cr>ons. In Ura cruaui token in
]854, there were HI.HH6 Rouio-Symn*, 1«1». 1 23 Syrians,
1,737 Eut I in lion* in Tmvucon alone. But time figurea
enu luinlly be ilencndcd on as giving a very correct return
of the niimher of native converts The Svrinru it will bo
ohaervod are tlio moat numerous. Their liUtoiy in full of
intercut. Impatient m ever of control or amalgamation
with other Christian aecta. they |«*m>.sk with nil their igno-
riuico nnd obduracy, a monument of vitality anil progress
strangely in contrast with other Christian secta. Wo see
above how tl»e Roman Catholics failed to bring them into
their fold, an«l similar attempt* by the Protestant missions
have ended in equal failure. Tl»c first attempt at regenv-
rating their Church, mkI bringing them liack from the I mi—
barism to which years of isolation ami neglect bad reduced
them, was made at the time when Colonel Macaulay was
British Resident of Tnnacur. It was then tlint the pious,
noMft htmrtfd. and energetic Buchanan strove to emancipate
the fallen Syrians from that degradation and olwcurity into
which they had fellcn.

These schismatics who lived in a place “five days' march
through the wood* which no European had yet visited," arc
the poor Syrians, and their locality, — dcarrilied remote

nnd situated in impenetrable forests where jungle fever and
tigers al-iund,- and lieforc going to which Buchanan felt it
prudent “ to put hU house in order," — is the ploasant station
of Cottaynm.oneof Uic roost charming situations in the whole
of Tmvancore. Here it Vaa tliat Buchanan laid tlie liaaift
of tint interoourao with the Syrian* tlwt eventually result-
ed in their emanci|ntion from tlie bliml ignorance into whieli
they had been so long pn-eipitnUsl. That the | .raise- worthy
cIRirt* to bring them over to the Protestant Church linvo ill ft
nun sure failed, is not from want of my defb-h-ncy of real or
IK'pwvmuna* on the |«rtofllK>«c wIk» embarked in ho worthy
a cause. All honour to tlioar who alruvo *> munliilly in tliu
aiusc of their fallow-crentuim It is more than consolation
to feel tliat Ihiwovoc mhort the aim may have fallen of its
ultimate object. a vast iknl of intulliguncc. esluaation and
moral good Imvs liecn ditfawsl among a limy flock, who In-fore
were wandering without a ahc|J»crd and Mink in indolence
and "loth.

It was previmu to Buchanan's [»<s: his Christian Itc-
Mjarcbes) visit that !*■ Ci a French IVAstant, attempted

St fcxrnv OK TUIVAKCOBK.

177

t" enquire into the state of tlie Syrian Churches in Travnn-
o>r«\ iukI the result of his investigation* will I * found in
his •• Hiitoirc .lu ChriatUniaino dus Indo*," printed at La
IlitgUO, in 1731. A very ancient and admirahlo account of
this long lost branch of tho Church of Antioch may bo noun
in a small publication, entitled the - Syrian Church of India."
written by Dr Moebride and printed at Oxford, in 1836.
'*« have not time here to enter upon it* early History, but
nutvlv dm* attention t> its «UVu< in Travaooora "Tim
kingdom*," says tho author of tins little- pomplilut, “ of Tm-
vnnoorc and Cochin, in which they are x.-ttlou, fonn a happy
vaiicd scene of hills covered with teak forest*, and of ricli
'•allies which being well irrigated, retain even during the
summer heats a perpetual verdure, and are suitable for rico
cultivation. The _ range of uoathoni gliauta mpuato* this
lovely hutd<ea|ie from the sandy plains of Tinnevelly. which
produce scarcely any thing, but the tall branchless stems of
the Palmyra tree. Tlie |««nliar feature of tlie country is
the backwater, au inlet of the sea, which ex]«ui<ls occasion-
ally into a lake, and were it nut for its marine hue, might
he mistaken for a river, hein» continually bordered by trees.
In the strip of land Ictwucn it and tl»e open sea- arc Cochin
and Allepic, populous towns, ami On still magnificent in its
ruins the capital of the Portuguese Indian empire. Into
this lock water fall the many r>xk streams that is.-.uc from
the ghauts." Tlie reader may f«m Rome him of the scenery
from the following description by ilr. Tucker of tho pros-
|-ct from the site of the new college. “ Tlie eye resU with
delight up >u all the luxuriance of the richest and most vari-
ed forms of foliage ; the thick clustering bamboo, the stately
mwt liko stem of the vuei |rdm. with tlie pep)** plant,
ejimbina up it like ivy, the «>K’«anut la-nding o\«-i (In-
river with its waving plum. s tl«. omr> pdm, mid tnli-
|s>t, the iiwain, the k4V UitU.~* tree, the link, with tho
mango nnd casliownnt. in l heir uwa scenting tlie whole
air in the bright fo -li . uly mooting with their fragrant
blossoms; tin- in. .mil in. in the disl.unv, nnd (be open H|«u.<o
of hill and d.dc immediately Ufoiv u*. and thw CoUayam
liver winding round, leave >n iin|ftvs>'».ii on my mind of
peaceful beauty, fertility, and Iv ]•■*»• aliieli year* of turmoil
and oei-uuition have Ux u io.:.b|. to elKico. Helow, by tho
river’s *ide. K the on!. lanlt under tlie direction of
1 .'ololiel Mm. ni. |>irliirvs.,ia\ foil inconvenient. On the
biglK-t ground *uirV. the new oJh-ge built l.y tin* society.

I7N

AtWt'NT OK mVMX'nilii:

witli it' Iil*ary, lecture and abutments,

forming tlmx* -iA* of a quadrangle. Near u a miiwionarv
house. gothic church and »cIk>oI. and printin;' ollico. ISohind,
mid where the river |«i*m-s out of night, among the trees,
stands out the up|*r Syrian church, witli its elevated
chancel, and lower down, tlie aramd Syrian and Roman
( 'ntholic CliUltW* Here it wan that tlie mission of illicll-
anan to bring into union the Syrian and Protestant Churches
first commenced iu ojrerati.m*. An interesting convonation
took plaop between Buchanan and tlio Syrian bishop on tho
subject. t Hie bidiop arguing tlwt he would sacrifice iiiueli
for union, only lie must not lie called upon to com*
prouiiac the dignity ami purity <»f hia Church. Discussion*
on various |»>ii»ts «n«u«sL It wan fortunate that such
Well ns Macuul.i v nod Munro wclv ill those days the British
Residents at the Court of Tmvanouv, for the Rajah was
much inclined to promote tlie Welfare of his Christian
subject*. and the British plenipotentiaries brought their
|»werful influence in aid of the good cause. Arrange-
ments were made with the mnetion of the reigning prince,
for erecting a college at Cottayam for the chIucmUoimi train-
ing of the Syrian youth, and with tlie view of aiding also
in the religious, and moral education of the Ca thaiuirx.
The Church Missionary society estabiidWd Cottnyain as one
of their future Mission stations. With sudi fair and hnjic-
ful beginning* it is painful to reflect, how sadlv the result
fell short of the lawmbwv A combination of unforeseen dif-
ticultiea and mishap-, do.tn.yisl Ummc hope* once ho justly
indulged in. " Whether it wan fnmi excess of prudence in
iniiuiioiiarivs which degenerated into the fear of mail, and
prevented a full exhibiti.m of spiritual truUi, or from tho inap-
titude of tlw student* to comprehend their teaihing, certain-
ly the ex|M*rini*nt moat be admitted to have been a failure ;
for during t M-* I- -rig period .-weeding thiity M . UtOTO lias
foil I ladtero i improvement. nu'd m> spiritual lit.*

ilii|.irtcd to tin* Syrian Cliureli, ami not one of those lion-
dnsl ami fifty students Imvo relinquished a single unspi ritual
tenet or aU|s;iwtitiou» cOstoiu."

"Thus suddenly and abruptly did a bigoted and import-
oils priest, incnpnblu of comprehending the Christian lovo
and long fm-h.ii nine.* <4* tin- mission ui j and alike ilMQMl-

bl«' to the spiritual mid t. iujioial interests of his [icoplo,
check as tir as in him lay. their social improvement and

TIFTOO's DESIGN ox TUAVAXCOHC 17!)

tlioir growth in grace. A division of tla* pro|*rty was made
by arbitration. under I be diiretioii of the nsddciil ; and tlio
» has l.rn removed to a neighbouring MIL The prin-
C!|kU i* resident, the otodeuU are no lunger expstod to the
inlhieiKv of their bigoted native teoeber*. tbe servious ol
the Church of Kngbnd are alone perfumed and Uio minion
is now undent k>I at designed for all, whether hoatlicu. or
of the corrupt Syrian or It. man Church who desire to em-
brace our reformed arltemc of Christianity."

Returning from this dirframioo to the history of the
country, wo find that far upward* of twenty yuan
lravanoore appear* to liavo enjoyed a atite of reiiosc and
tranquillity, while a con*hint ivene of warfare wa* going
°™. ,n Uioao couutric* bordering on her mountainous torn-
toru-H. It was n<*t until tlic growing |«ower of Tipiwio had
a-«nmed nn aspect at once tlm-atoning and formidable tluvt
tbe Hnjnh of Trnvanotre felt tbe importance of that defen-
xive alliance which during the U*t yean hud been contract-
ed between himself and tbe Knglid. It was not only the
lust ol conquest that instigated Tijtpjo to undertake hos-
tilities against th- Rajah, but his religious bigotry and
intemperate zeal for the diffusion of bis favorite creed, oni-
imvted huu in this. as well a* in many of his othor expedi-
1 1 ons. Like all .self-made conquerors too. the very stability
of whoso throne depend* upon a succession of fresh con-
quest*, am I constant employment for their wldieiy, he felt
the absolute neccs-ity of making his name and power felt
and acknowledged over Die whole south «if India. The
|m*ncMiion of Travuncorc would adil ta> his empire mid his
glory ; and without a shadow of right, he at once made his
plan* for an attack upon tliat kingdom which had hitherto
maintained it* neutrality ami ■iidc|«Mi)ooce. A pvtext far
In* invasion was »..>n discovered. Hydcr hud reduced to
vassalage the kingdom of Cochin, ami it ao happened dint
in several | dace* tbe CVIun tcrritoiy wa* intriMvted by
that of TmvaiK-irr. especially in the northern |wrts Tip.
|-h» complained that In- Was unable to reach bis own terri-
tories without | mating tli i>>ugh that of a foreign iiowei, n
dilliculty inrrvnard on account of a wall which had been
erected on the frontier, and which by enclosing put* of
I "’lli territorim acted a» an ofatnrlc to his progress tlimugh
his own dominions. He luurwvcr questioned the right of
the Travains.i tans to the fort of (Ynngnnniv, and Ayacolfcili
which they bad |«miH»il fn.in tlic Ihiuli, nnd filially lie

»irwrxT or Tiavix<v>i:K

lw»

wn* irritated nt finding that the wmliy hirlmiirrsl iinincmua
ruftignw wlm IumI fled from Iih ncnwcntiou. awl Ii.mI sought
nn asylum amid the fnrr~t« of tl.ix innos-sslhlo country.
Witli Midi llituay prutuiwua, Tippnn |m>ptuvd lor mi invasion
of the Uujnha • l •mini.. a*. iihI refininj to list on to tho mo-
dintimi offiswd by tho Knglidi Government, ho hastened nt
••lieu C» throw w powerful unv upon (lie lmrrior linen. At
lii-nt tho rcNMUnce «w alight, owing chiefly to tlio long
extent of will which required t«> bo defended ; nnd Tip|<oo
by a feigned attack haring gained nn onny entrance, pushed
III* troops along tho inside of tho Inrricr in order to guard
tho principal gateway. Tlio Tmvanooriati* however made
many ollbrts to arrest his nnigrpsa, anil bravely defended
themselves against tlic overwhelming number* of tho enemy.
Tlio Sultan li.vl more than oucr to supply bin falling tro<»|M
by re-infoiwmcnta from tho rear : nml souio confusion am-
ing fmm the ir»|icrfcct manner in which thuao order* were
executed, and from the increasing confidence and resolution
of the Travnncorian?s tl»c tnv*p« of the Sultan began to give
way. A panic nt fent ensued, ami Uie fn nt ranks falling
l*»ck upon those in tlio roar, the whole mass give wny ; and
an indiscrilmMc scene of dismay and confusion arose. Tip-
poo himself was ttnuinhsl, and reluctantly borne away by
tho retreating m:w nf his Soldiery. lie ranched his camp
with difficulty, after losing a i unit two thousand of his
men ; nnd leaving lifer ]nktiMitnc* and several other articles
ladouging to hino*lf in tlio hands of the conquerors. But
this glorious success of tlic Tmvnncorian* was not of long
duration, Tinpoo stung by defeat and disaster hMtcmd to
retrieve his honor by a frv-h attack, and with a more power*
I'll army, Collecting a strong force of artillery, lie again
np|K>nml before tin- hated walls the scone of his InUi liunii-
li.ition : at the *ame time professing Ins desire of peace to
the KnglMi flannaMl Imnk tho bcginuiajf of April
lie eoinmiiictsl luvodiing the walls which could nut sustuin
the shock of his lotteries for any longtime: and the Tin-
vnnenre nddicra finding further nsdsUucv lio|iehs*< ngnilUit
the numlien nml valour of tin* Myram-aiia, ret rentes I fnun
tho place leaving tho country U> tho nxtvv of tin* .Sultan.
The latter over-nui a great |«»rt of tl>e nuintry. omiimitting
his usual outrage* against tho ihdunrclcw* inhabitant* : nor
writ ‘t until the Imavy ruin *«-t in, that lie was colujKillod nt
Inst to n't ire fnnu his work of devastation : and. leaving his
ho|«sHbr subjugation <-f Travniu-nv to grapple with a foe

AXABCOT IS TRAViNCOKE. lbl

whose hitherto unforeseen power* eventually brought him
nnd liin ei u pin; into one common niin.

Tlie (l«*|n\rture of Tinpoo and hU licentious soldiery,
appears to have l*ecn the signal for a acrica of internal
commotions nnd p-tty distort unco*. which for many
yenm kept the state of Tmvancore in agitatiou and
disi|iiicL It nmy not be difficult to trace the oourao
of thin to tlioae habit* of UwloHneaa which tho Tmvnnco-
ivmi soldiery must have contracted from their contact witli
the Myanrenn tamp* A limited degree of conlnd iukI
nuthority would increase llni insolence of a half disciplined
force, like that which had retreated from the victorious
army of Tippoo. and history i* not wanting in examples to
shtiw tlie danger arising to a state frera U*c presence of ail
armed force, wliom the pride of recent victory or tho sting
of humiliating defeat, imjsrla to a course of wanton violence
and unbounded crime. A rule at oure despotic and urbi-
tmry which could not «<> much control as direct the pnssiona
of this unruly multitude of *<-iiii-dncipliiicd would

lie the only remedy f»r tin: growing troubles and discontent
of the country. Kama Y’unaah who a&ocmlcd the musnud
in I7!)D, did not imksca* tlie ability to giapjde witli tlioso
difficulties wliieh lit- tin* me. and lire Court itself be-

came at an early |ieriod the scene of much strife and blood-
shed. Several of his Ix-wans or minister* were removed by
violence or death, tlie effect of partisan influence, and ani-
mosity ; and it waa only by tlie timely interference of tho
British resident tliat a stop was temporarily pul to such
unwarrantable proceeding* A slight interval of tranquil-
lity was soon aucceei l oJ by fresh disturbance* Some real
or nretendod griovwwv* wen* |»ut 6«th by Uhi rnliblo troops
which Humtanded tins Ummu: a tempwary concoHaion to
their demands served only t*. inerauo tlicir inaolcnuo ; and
as tliey were instintol in their acts by unties hoatilo to
British influence, they Iwoumi cmlmldtncd uy kiiixvks, which
they prolstlily attributed to timidity on the jsirt of tho
i 'mm nt Tint tin- UfW OHO off the CHUsC* of file ffitM
revolt which aubwi|uvnlly took |»brc there can Ik: littlo
doubt: at all events it gave confidence to men whoso
minds were prevhjualy imbue* I witli Jiacontenl. nnd af-
fected with long inisnilo, and wl»o were prepared to
take advantage of tlie first ojn-.rtunity which gnyo hope- of
a change which might ameliorate, a* limy imagined, their
own condition or subvert British autliority. In the 'ulisc-

182

ACCOCKT Or TRA YAHOO It K.

B nt insurrection tliat burst forth and which openly net the
tiah power at defiance ; not only wan the Dewan of Tra-
v an co re deeply implicated, but even the Dewan of Cochin.
Disputea at Ant aro*e between tlic Rajah and the Risidont
regarding the subsidy which hart not been regularly paid by
the Travancore state On tiro side of the Rajah it wua urg-
ed that the Company's troop* entailed an additional burthen
to the state which it was unable to bear ; that the treaty of
1805, had in a measure been extorted from him, and that tho
state had not the means of defraying the subsidy. On tho
other hand the Resilient denied the allegation regarding tho
treaty, and pointed out to tiro Rajah that the Carnatic Bri-
gade, a body of useless ludf-dUdplincd soldiers, was 011c of
the sources of great loss of revenue to the state ; and an un-
necessary burden ; and ended in recommending its being at
oneo disbanded. Believing the Dewan Vailoo Thuinhy to
be tho Rajah's chief adviser in these plots against British
authority, the Resident insisted upon his removal — an act
in which the minister professedly acquiesced, but in the
meantime he secretly inflamed the minds of the populace,
and attempted to brin" about an insurrection, the aim and
object of which should be the assassination of tho British
Resident Reports having readied the latter of the disaffec-
tion which prevailed in tiro country, and various rumours
of the rising of the whole people having got abroad, tho
Resident felt the necessity of summoning military aid with-
out delay ; and troops were immediately |>ut in motion both
from Tnchinopoly and Malalnr in order to quiet the rising
insurrection. Anxious to strike a Wow before the arrival of
the Company* troo|«. the rumour of whose approach had now
reached him, the lVwan on Uro night of the 28th of Dccom-
Iror, 1808, prepured in secret a party of armed men, who at
his instigation, surrounded tiro house in Cochin wlmro tiro
Resident was then living. A reused by their noise Colonel
Macaulay apj-nred at tiro window when he was immediately
fired at hy tho as»a«sina. tail happily without effect Per-
ceiving the danger which surrounded him ho LaMcncd to
hide himself in a small room, pointed out to him by one of
his own wrvanta; which was undistinguidmblu from tho
outside; and here bo remained concealed in mfety during
the whole night Foiled in this atrocious attempt the
nssawina fled early next morning, their flight Iroing some-
what hastened by the arrival of a vessel in the river, con-
taining a portion of the troops which had been de$|»alclicU

RCCCOI Of BRITISH ARMS. 183

from Malabar. On board UiU vcescl Colonel Macaulay look
refuge.

On the lunding of tlie reinforcement* the troopa at onoe
ooimiMMwl uHViiaive operation* under the command of
Colonel Cl ml men then at the head of the force at Quilon.
1 Wooding to Paroor. a town midway between Quilon and
Txevandmui, he made a .uccvreful auemyt to dulodgo the
enemy from that aituation. The Nairn though iar cxoood-
ing in number* Uie handful of Britidi troop*, fled in oonfu-
aiou, leaving several gun* behind them. Soon after thin,
information wm received that large bodie* of the enemy,
one from the north, and the other from the *outh, were
inarching rapidly toward* the acene of the late contest, and
Colonel Chalmers therefore deemed it prudent to withdraw
into the cantonment at Quilon, and remain upon the defen-
aivc, uutil further reinforcement* should join him.

Fresh iroo|js having accordingly arrived early in January,
Colonel Chalmers moved out to attack tlie enemy, which
was commanded by the Dewau in person, and which amount-
ing to about 30,000 men with 18 guns was advancing to-
wards Quilon by rapid marches. Tbo engagement was of
short duration ; in less tlian live hour* tlie insurgent* were
totally defeated, leaving nearly all their Artillery, and a
large number of slain on tlie ground.

Not discouraged by this failure, the l>v wan turned his
face towards Cochin, ind investing that place, he made a
vigorous attack by three separate columns. The small gar-
rison commanded by Major Hcwiu and which was com-
posed of eight Companies of the 12th mid 17th Madras
Native Infantry, bravely defended the Tort, and oompellcd
the manes of tlie Do wan* soldiery to retire, with consider-
able Ions, yet not witliout much revere and obstinate light-
ing ; tli u* foiled in their attempt tlie insurgent* raised the
blockade, and retreated again toward* the south.

Tlie aspect of affiura nowodlod for a more vigorous inter-
fvonco on the |wrt of Ura Knglidi Government A fresh
force was at once raised ami directed to proceed to (lie
southernmost |->rtion of Uw fYniimilo. in order to eflbat an
entrance into Travanowe through the |«av« of Anunlsmly,
wliich was fortified by mean* of mvuial redoubt*, mounting
two or throe guns cast and connected will! a wall extend-
ing north to south for alioui lw.. or three miles. Them
liarricr* were never very formidable and ooukl never have
long resisted the attacks of regular and disciplined tron|«.

ACCOUXT or mVAKCORF.

I Hi

Tho now force was eonimanded hy Colonel 8 L I-eger who
"rrivisl at die foil of Uic |« early in January. Ho deter-
mined to ca ivy the -place ><y aurywiw. cajicciaJly a* ho wait
liniu^itiijiMiied witlr a UtU-ring train. A night attack VM
""'•"-I “'‘*1 Major WcUli being cntrustesl willi it* exo-

' Utiori. tin- | Jan wu m every way sureotsful. rurd hof.rrudny-
l.ro.rk next morning, the taMtiona worv in the hand* .»f the
iiiiti'li. and the |OM .secured.

This vigoroiM nnd aucoWul operation, lod to the ontii©
nbniidomnent hv tire enemy of their defensive works in that
Muart-r Speedily following u ( . thi. blow. Colonel St. larger
inarcin-d to Nagvrcoil. nicnamo a small body rlf tmotn
|M«sU-d to defend the |omap- of die river nt that place;
ami finally ml down U fit© Oodcaghcrrv and Pulpmm|>oo-
ram. two forts in ck»so |*oxirnity, at the foot of a small
detached hill called tin- Vaily Mullav. The garrison of
tlu sc fortrvNaca did not wait f« an atUdc. lart tied aleu.don-
ing tlicir work, and their examples were followed by the
insurgents in every direction. In the meantime the t«io|«s
at Quilon, had again defeated Uk; Nairs in a brilliant en-
gagement U ruler Colonels Picton and Stuart, who dispersed
and utterly disorganised the n*W forces, and captured all
their artillery. Tire British forces now being able to com-
municate with each other, gradually converged towards the
i-:t|ntitl. The Do wan Hed to die j angle*, and tiro Knjalt
alarmed at their near ap|mtt.h bisUncd to tender his ku 1>-
mission b» tire British resident
• An interview was now held between the Rajah and the
lus'idfiit, and by die conditions of a new treaty it was
agixasl tied tin- Tiavaneoro Government alx.uld |wy all nr-
reiirn of the ■uhaidy and die expense of die war ; that Urn
t Vrmatic brijnde should he dimolvod. and that tlic defence
of the coirntn* should lie lu n-aft.-r entrusted to a wiUidiai y
for. imrt of which was to la- stationed at Trevondrum.
Pi'ircn Is ing then n-ston-l. tlic fon» wit* lit. ikon up, and
tlu> n-tunicd to dair canUsmu-ntx A im-ernblo fi-Jo
nwailcd the Ihrwan ; |-ir*ucd frern place to jJiuv. he lingered
out. II wretched ex i stems- among the mountain fnatittw*-*. till
;.r lust his ivtrvnl I .ring discovered. lie w... put to dendi by his
own brother, or. mouc nry. puninittol suicide to avoid Mm cap.
lure. Mis l.n.tla-r traawisrdand | publicly executed nt Quilon,
while tho^orp'a* of the l»ewan himself was conveyed toTre-
vniidrttut, and exposed to the instills of tho | populace, — a
revengeful and unwortliv art whirl jiudy called

TRAXQl'ILLITY RESTORED.

down the were animadversion of Uie Supreme Government.
By tl.e fifth article of the treaty between tlie Britiah Go-
vernment and the State of Travancore drawn up in 1805, it
wan specifically provided tliat in cane of Uie subsidy agreed
upon to bo annually pan l to tlio former, falling in arrears,
the Hi ilifh Government should be empowered U> osmium)
tlio management of tlio country. More tian once bad thin
treaty Uvn broken ; and <>n Uun occasion, Uie British Govern-
ment (irooeedol (wing no immediate remedy lor the exist-
ing state of attaint) to carry into execution Uie new nrinngc-
incut At Uie lime. Colonel J. Munni was appointd Resi-
dent — and Ik* was at once authorized to annum) Uio office of
Do wan, and undertake Uie administration of Uie oountry :
ail*l this at the request, according to bis own statement, of
the Rajah himself. Tlie measures lie adopted were eminent-
ly calculated to restore the public tranquillity ; and from
nn exhausted exchequer, a lamentable deficiency in Uio ad-
ministration ami want of justice, lie succeeded not only in
relieving the country of its debts, but in coni|dctely mining
the finances to a state of more Uian Uicir usual ptwperity.
Evcy department was re-organized. an<l most of tire severe
mid burdensome taxes were lightened ami repealed, ami a
foundation of order and quiet established throughout the
country, which law never since bevu iutomijitd. It wan not
till the year 1K1*, Ual Colonel Munm, resigned Ids power
ns Do wan of the country, in the mmntimo, Uie Rajah bad
did, ami had Uvn «Bawkd hy Uie Kanoc, his sister : after
a brief reign of 2 year*, she was again suooedd by her
sister, who awwind Uie regency of tlie country, till the
youthful Rajah bid at toil id bis uuijorily in lt«W. This
latter prince, alter a reign of IS yuus, was succeeded by
Rajah Martlinndn Vunuali. in I s Hi.

It limy rum lily ho xupfmacd Uiat a oountry lik. TmvHitcnre
nlibidn ample field for Uie rearardtes of Uie ImtanUt, and
this is undoubtedly tho cbmo. Frequent a» have Uvii tlio
explorers on Uk* western oast in timarn. Mnbibar nml
t’l-'ig. tlio high land* of Tra\nm«.iv and Cochin, Imvo hcI-
d«m Uvn visile* I by the Uituikul traveller; mid although,
the larger jortiou of the Flora |nir1nkes nf n elimiicter, re-
sembling that of Uio neighUmring district : yet it is nut
iiiiptoliciblo that s.«mc plants now c*i|isidcre-l peculiar to
Ceylon, may be on Uir-e mountains. Wluinvci may
have Keen Uk* fault* nf Uk- administration of the l>nte)i
Kid India Company, it i« <vrtaia that they have al bast

186

ACCOUNT OF TRAVAXCORE

tho redeeming qualitioi of not having neglected to promote
the .study of science, and the development of the national
resources of tho countries they nettled in. Few sulijcctn arc
deserving of greater attention Uian those which durivo
their value from being contacted witli Uie coinforts and ne-
cessaries of human life. And tlic most attractive of all
sciences, are tin** winch load in their resulta from every
fresh discovery or apjdioatioii of |>rinciplc to a permanent
benefit in behalf of mankind. Among such wo may l<M»k
u[iun botany as taking the higher* rank, and it in to the
lasting praise of tho Dutch, that their labours in tho cause
of actenco in India, were no zealous, and which entitle them
to ho ranked as the fin* pioneers in this Held.

Bartolomeo devotes tin whole of his eleventh chapter to
the subject of the medicine and botany of this country.
" I m lift alone, ' he says, “ contains more medical writings,
perhaps, than are to lie found in all the rest of the world.
As printing has never been introduced here, all hands aiu
employed m copying manuscri|*tft. and particularly such as
relate to the prolongation of human life, viz., medical and
botanical Those who wish to be convinced of the multi-
tude of articles tliat occur in the medicine and botany of
Malabar, need only recur to the work published at Amster-
dam, in the year 1689. under the title of “ llortus Malabn-
ricua." Both those sciences were cultivated in India, above
three thousand years ago. and at present give employment
to a great number of people. When a physician is sent for,
yon are sure to lie visited by five or six. There are even
hoy*, who | losses* an extensive knowledge of laitany, and
this is not surprising, a*, from their earliest yearn, they aro
made acquainted with the nature of plant*, and their differ-
ent properties." To these remark*, succeed a catalogue of
several medicinal plant*, with their uses and pro|iettios, to-

E tlior witli tho vernacular names; mid which, according to
n own uccuunt. coat him an immense labour to collect.
But hr must have liccii greatly indoM.-d t.. the industry of
his Dutch prolccrssore, who a oriitury before his time liail
Wn collecting plants, ami illu-tmting witli imlcfntignblo
labour the Flora of thi* coast.

Foremost in tlic ranks of those early Dutch Imt/mists
•stands the name of tlic indefatigable Henrieu* Van Itlieode,
Governo* »f Cochin, who laid the whole country under con-
tribution for hi* unequalled work in 12 folio volumes on
the plants of the Western Coast. - The llortus Malabai icuH,"

BOTAKY OF MALABAR.

167

my* Evelyn " presents m wiUi the moat stupendous nnd
unheard of pUnta in that elaborate work : the cuU being
in copper, and certainly of any publiahed the moat accurate
done, nor are they in their ahape and description lew sur-
prising. [Kvel correep. 1681 \ In thi. work are contained
791 platen no accurately figured, that Uierc w no difflculty
whatever in identifying them. Then followed RuinphiUH.
a Hanoverian. whom " Herbarium Amboinenac" occupiea
•ix quarto volume* with nearly 780 plate*. Hermann,
whose lalioiim were confined to Ceylon, hi. Museum Zoy a-
nicum Laving been publidied in 1717. and hi* Flora Zeyla-
nica in 17*7. the two Burmanns. Ihlhcr and ton, whoso
• Flora Indica' and * Mora Zeylanic* respectively are vnlu-
alite repertories of Indian botanical knowledge. Ko*mg
was a Dane, Commelin. Klein, and RoMler were either
Dutch or German. All honor tiren to tlic Holhuideni
who Hret laid the foundation of that edifice which the
subsequent labours of Roxburgh. Wallich nnd W ight, have
well nigh completed in the present century'. Subsequent
researches have rendered Bartolomeo'* list of plants any
tiling hut novel or valuable, though lie says it w«t him im-
mense lalsiur to collect the numerous catalogue of samples
and to add their Malabar. Latin and Portuguese names.
•• The source* I employed.” he says, - Wide* my own ex-
igence. are the dictionaries of Hanxledcn. Viscopmg and
rituenUl ; the herbarium of Father Fntz and a M S. con-
taining observation* by many regular physicians and bota-
nists. natives of the coast of Malalw. Whatever may be
the value of the learned treatises above referred to. we fear
they are inaccessible to Uie student of the urownt day. who
must content himself with mere recent an.l no doubt wor-
thier books on tho Flora of Malalou. The cl incite of I ia-
viuicoro is the same as in otiwr |*ut* of MalaUir. and the
following remarks by one of the roost eminent of modem
botanists* nuiv la* applied to this country. " From tlm hu-
mill character of tire MalaUr climate, its luxumnt vegvU-
timi might U> infer., d. Hamilteu tills u» that it Itwnblc*
Bengal in verdure, hut has lollkr trees and more |Niim* :
the shore* arc skirted with cnemnuis. and tho vill.g.* sur-
rounded with grove* of bctclnut, |«lin* and talipot* Va-
tcrin Indie*, a noble diptcreo.qs.us tree, is abundantly
planted in many isuta ; cassia, pepper and canlamoiim
nourish wild in tire jungle*, and form staple^ products for

• Ilocfcer ^TW«. L«ay «■> ttc laJim »W

ACCOCXT OF TRAVAMORE.

export. The fact that the pepper is cultivated without the
screen* used in other parts of India, to nrcservea humid *t-
moa| there about it, n the l«*t Dtwof of the dampness, nncl

a liability of the climate. The low valleys aro richly cloth*
with i ice-field*, and the hill sides with milleta. and other
dry cre|**, whilst the jpage* and slopea c»f the loftier
mountains aro covered With a doMO and luxuriant
front.

The mam of Uio Flora is Malayan, and identical with
that of Ceylon, and many of the spices are further common
to the Kliasva hills, and the bane of Uie Himalaya. Took is
found abundantly in the (nwh, but the sandalwood occurs
only on the east and dry Hanks of the chain. Oaks and
coniform arc wholly unknown in Malabar, but the commbn
Bengal willow 'Salix tctmspmaa) grew* on tlic hills. line-
turn mid Cvcas both occur, the former abundantly.

Of the deep depression* tliat intersect the Travancorc
mage, and by which couiai u i licit i 01 is arc kept up between
the districts which it di rides, tliat of Courtalum, in !»
degrees of north latitude, is a well-known laitankal sta-
tion, which, though on the eastern or Carnatic side, from its
peculiar form and situation is under tlie influence of the
southwest monrsxHi. and viijoya, together with the rest of the
province, a dcBdou.Jy cool and cqualdu climate. Xotwitli-
Btandiug the |iei*ennia! humidity, the rain-fall at Courtalum
U only H> incites ; on the hills around, however, it is doubt-
less much greater. The Puliicv or Puliuti mountains west of
bindigul, the Animakya south of Coimbatore, the Shcva-
gliiri mountains southwest of Madura, and the ranges near
Courtalum. IUV all well-known as the scenes of Dr. Wight’s
indefatigable labours, which in this direction have extended
to Capo Cnuuirin itaelt

There are few liotmical features of Travancore not common
to ImiUi Oyhin and Mnlalwr in general. Nutmegs. coffee, and
cinnamon flourish at Courtalum. Tlio iv markable palm,
lk’iitiiickiit, so common on its mountains, is however not
known in Ceylon. The oilier palm* are Caiyota urens, an
Areca, 1'lnenix farinifem. and <**c or two »|«xaos of Calamus.
The products <»f tlic fon-.u are hreught down at the proper
season to the coniiuereial de|«6t of tlic country at Allcpiu, a
place which premises to la* one of tlic most thm ing and busy
IMirtsonthe western coast It is remarkable fur the existence
of an extraordinary Iwnk of mud wlii.-h is thrown up by some
natural means in the oj.-ii roadstead forming a complete

PHOT, BUSS or EDUCATION’.

Ih9

breakwater, and thereby affording a aafv refuge fur veaaels
ul all M.HMIUB of tlie year.

Perhn|« few places in Tmvaucore arc of gicJiter interoat
•f referred to bjvgone time* than Anjcngn. winch waa for
inunv ynirs, rui English factory, now n ruin in a diverted
locality. Thoar wlm are intimate witli Uie attractive " Ori-
-Vt«] Memoir* ..f F.>rl*«,‘ will recollect the lively duacrintion
of n station wliero he named an many of hia days. Urine,
the celebrated Hiatonan waa Umi hero, and here lived
Kliaaboth Draper to whom SU-mc addrecacd the famous
*' Letter* to Elia." A tombstone in Uie churchyard, record*
the burial here of the first Britiah resident Jno. Toller,
A D. 1777.

Yillyyoar* continued tranquillity lias doubtless conferred
many great benefits on Travaneore. and the naturally quiet
disposition of the |«coi»lc lias been perhaps as inKtnnnentnl,
as any other t a int in leading them to enjoy, and appreciate
tlie blessing* of pea ce. Tlie rapid spread of education
nmong all chute*, which has swept away many prejudices,
and opened the paths of civilization to the people, has been
the happy consequence of their long intercourse with Euro-
peans. During several preceding reigns, the Rajahs appear
to have liecn sensible of the advantages accruing to a more
extended diffusion of knowledge among their subjects; and
the Free School of Trevandnim Lis long maintained for
itself a reputation, a* one of tlie best institution* for the
education of native youth in South India With every
advantage for communication witli foreign countries, the
march of improvement must steadily progress in this beau-
tiful country ; and a faithful and firm alliance with the
British Government must be productive of that increasing
prosperity it so richly deserve*.

Nor*—' Ths foUeaiug Extract* froia Dr. Roclianair* biter* to hia
friends on tltc subject of the K> nan LVnxfcr* are ao intonating Umi they
Uossrvo to U quoted in tlm |>Ucr.

•• The interesting khi. . 4 the thrirtian MMom hare lately oUiU-
rated from. my mind tlie poor Syrian* sad J***, although I am just on
their border*; aid Wingou the tarda*. 1 can rit no information about
them from the European. Every body refer* me to Colonel - Macaulay.
I hare read in French, wkc I left Pondicherry, La CWi Chriatianity
in India, a meat admirable classical nrefc. Ilia chief aulgcct ia the in-
quisition at Coa, and the Syrian Christian* ; and hi* last psgc* are dr.
voted to Ziogcubalg. lie qp re wc v a hope that some pnona will bo

190

AtXOUXT OF TRAVAXCORE.

sent from Europe on m embassy to the Syrian Christiana, to enquire
concerning Iheu state, learning, And religion after ao long an interval.

“ Joachim at Anghoor told me I should Rial them in live day.' march
through the wood* from Tra rancor® jialacw ; he QalU-l them -chiaroati-
ft new, whom no European or Romish prieat lied erer visited.

Again, " F rom T re veudni ra I went to IWitera ou the eea-coast ; ai-;J
heir I 6 rat a* a Syrian Churvh io the Kouiuh communion. I mean
In TmreiKora; for I before mentioned to you that I had vi.ited one
near Trichinopoly. From Poontara to Aqjengo 1 travelled by the eca-
coail, ami had the pleasure to ere a Church every four or live mile-.
From Cat* Comorin to Cochin, them am about a hundred Churohca on
the senahore alone. Of them, the chief pert are the Syrian Latin, _or
more |>>o|ierIy the Syrian Rou»L*h Churches. “Hie imcmt reaiU the Sy-
riac Liturgy, not one word of which the people understand, and then
ho walk* off; or be reads the LaUn Liturgy with wbic^thc poor Chris-
liana are equally edified. Some of them (the private Chriataiun) have,
however, Oie prayers translated into XlaUyaLia Tlio churches arc
an ow white, and are generally built in a grove of shady trees. Before
each, on the sand of the shore, m a lofty cram; which like the church
itself, is coo'picuou. at a great distance.

At Quilon, Dr. M, nephew to the Colonel, outertaiued me. The sub-
sidiary force is *t preeei.'. encamped hero At this place 1 mw l)r. H.,
the Hindostoncc scholar. He told me, that though be had been many
mouths here, he had not yet met with any one, wiio can give an ac
count of tlie schismatic -Syrians, as their Churches were all in the in-
terior, where Europeans cannot go without the |eiimoison from the
Rs^h.

I eni now about to proceed Northward and Eastward from this place
to visit the Syrian Churches. There is one wry near to Mevolimr.
The ulUm are remote, situated (according to Dr. l-’a account) in ira
penetrable forests where jungle friers and tigers abound.

The weather is dry and elmr, awl I haw motived a vary dilfcrcnt
account of the regions I wish to net. 1 dull however piuerod no fur-
ther than may Ui pruilent. I lute fold my servant-, tliat they may
remain liehlnd if they |4ra*r. fort they choose to accompany mu. TIhi
H ajuh's men encourage therm. Tk Lord, sriw liath gmaiowly led mo
from Carubu-Iang to Calcutta, ami from Calcutta to Ope ' ’.iinonii, will
lca-1 mo ui safety, I trust, through the mountains of Travnncoro. In
many instances already, mountain* haw been m*do a |4ain More me ;
and I am ready to believe, that some gor»l will re-ult fnsu a journey,
hitlierto so remarkably far-wed by pivi idenev.

EXTRACTS FROM I FTTIRS.

191

1 think it right, how* .or, • to put my bouee in order 1 »t tbie piece,
end leave the eveut to him, who diepaeee of the lire* of hi* eorrenU
■•-cording to hU eternal puqueue end nghtoreo will."

Coau*, ilk D«*mUr, 180«.

My leal letter from Traraocore informed yon thet I we* about to-
leave tho een-oo*t, end proceed into the interior of the country to vi*it
•1» ancient Hyrun Churches I hare been enabled to *ooompli.h my
purpose. I her* runted the remote Church*, situated amongst the
hill* at the bottom of great ghaut*. The eocuery of the country we*
everywhere delightful ; the weather wee oool and pleemnt, and I have
returned from an expedition, which wee r*|>reeented to be dangerous,
in perfect health.

CocRiir, WA Dt<tmb*r, 180«.

DBA* 80,

In August or Scpdcxnfcr last, I add trued e letter to you. from tho
pagoda of Seringham, near Tnchioopoly. Since that period 1 hare vieit-
eil Ceylon, and many (dices in Southern Coromandel, and in the pro-
vince of Malabar. I penned a week et the palace of the Rajah of Tre-
r an core, who aid* me rery liberally in all my pursuit*. Tho brahmin*
ami present minister had taught the young man (he ia ouly tweuty-five)
to oppress tho Chriatiaixt. But he promise* milder treeimeut in
future.

Tlii* favourable change is produced by the exertiona of Colonel Ma-
caulay, the Resnk-ut, who, 1 am happy to my, is much alit'u to the in-
terest* of religion.

From the seeooist 1 proceed to the interior of the country, to viait
the ancicut Syrian Christian* who iidiabit the hill*, at the bottom of
the groat mountain* «t Malaya lim. The weather was cool and pleasant.
The country i* picturesque and highly culli rated, direraified with bill
and dale, ami windiug stream-. Thc-c streams fall from the mountains
and preset-re the rallies in pvr|«tual verdure The Chnetiane received
me onurtouudy, oocing I travelled in some Mato eeoortod by the Ra-
jah’* servants

Their doctnnca are red in essential* at ran* nee with those of tho
Clmreh nf England Tliey Arum a union, or at loa.t ouch a connec-
tion a* n»*y ho pra Mkable nr <k^irald* f.r the Iwtt-r adranremeut of
tlio interest* of Ctirtlianily in India.

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